Iwamura-san

John F · February 10th, 2007, 09:53 AM

So the Devil Rays threw their new Japanese player a birthday party yesterday -- well, don't know if it is one or a media opportunity. Iwamura spoke a prepared statement in english to both American and Japanese reporters at the Batters Eye restaurant at Tropicana Field.

It almost seemed stereotypical that Iwamura vowed to play with an alligator leather glove... It's also stereotypical -- in a Tampa Bay sports sense -- that Iwamura is thought to be too small to play at the Major League level. We've heard that time and again with players that have been brought in for the last ten years in this town (Warrick Dunn, Martin St. Louis, Eric Perrin, even Derrick Brooks was thought to be too small at one time).

Joe Maddon wants to stick him at 3rd and I have no problem with that... But BJ Upton suddenly finds his future compromised. He's at a sink-or-swim point with the Rays -- either win shortstop outright this spring or go elsewhere.

bedir than average · February 10th, 2007, 12:03 PM

Heard earlier this week that BJ Upton was shopped fairly aggressively over the off season, that the primary concern was his defense (anywhere). Supposedly he would have been a significant peice in a Jason Jennings deal.

Shame for your club that didn't go down.

DiamondDave · February 10th, 2007, 07:06 PM

Stuff I have read has stated the same concern about Upton's defense... I do not think there is any doubt that offensively he could possibly be an all star... but he may end up like Soriano, in being converted to an OF because of his horrid defense

Hawkeye4 · February 10th, 2007, 11:29 PM

If BJ's got an offensive side, I sure haven't seen it yet. He swings so hard he pulls his arm out of his socket and sits back on his back foot.

John F · February 11th, 2007, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiamondDave

Stuff I have read has stated the same concern about Upton's defense... I do not think there is any doubt that offensively he could possibly be an all star... but he may end up like Soriano, in being converted to an OF because of his horrid defense

That is how he's been looked at for years. I mean, this is Jose Offerman horrid defense. The problem with Upton moving to the outfield is -- it can't be with Tampa Bay. The Rays are loaded in the OF (crawford, Baldelli, Young, Elijah (trouble) Dukes, Jonny Gomes, etc) and Upton's suspect glove does not make him an upgrade to anyone except Dukes -- Gomes arguably but Jonny was injured last season.

The Rays failing to move Upton and having to sit on him would be another monumental loss for the franchise. They gave him every opportunity to improve his defense at Short (and at 3rd) and instead -- he's remained mediocre at best. This hinders trade value, this hinders future projections, etc...

February 10th, 2007, 09:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,510	Iwamura-san So the Devil Rays threw their new Japanese player a birthday party yesterday -- well, don't know if it is one or a media opportunity. Iwamura spoke a prepared statement in english to both American and Japanese reporters at the Batters Eye restaurant at Tropicana Field. It almost seemed stereotypical that Iwamura vowed to play with an alligator leather glove... It's also stereotypical -- in a Tampa Bay sports sense -- that Iwamura is thought to be too small to play at the Major League level. We've heard that time and again with players that have been brought in for the last ten years in this town (Warrick Dunn, Martin St. Louis, Eric Perrin, even Derrick Brooks was thought to be too small at one time). Joe Maddon wants to stick him at 3rd and I have no problem with that... But BJ Upton suddenly finds his future compromised. He's at a sink-or-swim point with the Rays -- either win shortstop outright this spring or go elsewhere.

February 10th, 2007, 12:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
bedir than average Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 8,258	Heard earlier this week that BJ Upton was shopped fairly aggressively over the off season, that the primary concern was his defense (anywhere). Supposedly he would have been a significant peice in a Jason Jennings deal. Shame for your club that didn't go down. __________________ I'm sorry I left for a while. I needed a vaction, and then work changed substantially. I'm over 50 hour weeks, plus two hours a day of commuting time. A few weeks ago I launched my own blog about Seattle Sounders FC and Life in Puget Sound. I won't be by these parts often as my focus has changed. Sorry about the unannounced retirement.

February 10th, 2007, 07:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
DiamondDave Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: MD, on the Potomac River Posts: 5,390	Stuff I have read has stated the same concern about Upton's defense... I do not think there is any doubt that offensively he could possibly be an all star... but he may end up like Soriano, in being converted to an OF because of his horrid defense __________________ Reagan in 08... Even though he's dead, he's the better choice! Superdelegates - Because even the Democratic party knows it's base is too stupid to make really important decisions.

February 10th, 2007, 11:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Hawkeye4 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hockey Bay, USA Posts: 168	If BJ's got an offensive side, I sure haven't seen it yet. He swings so hard he pulls his arm out of his socket and sits back on his back foot. __________________ If you can't beat 'em, beat 'em up! GO BOLTS!