I’m not going to lie to you. I miss baseball. It’s been nice to not have to update the site regularly, but you know what? I miss it! And so, even though there really isn’t a ton going on right now, I thought I’d fill your eyes with the latest on three guys rumored to be coming, going, and staying with the team.
Coming (?): Kazuhisa Makita
The former Seibu Lions submariner took his talents to the San Diego Padres at the start of the 2018 season, but after bouncing between the majors and minors (mostly the latter), he was released this offseason. At 35 years old, Makita still has something left in the tank (no way his arm is worn from throwing 80 mph fastballs!). Three teams are rumored to be after him: his old squad, plus the Rakuten Golden Eagles and our club. Manager Akihiro Yano wants him, so now it’s just a matter of whether we can entice him away from Seibu nostalgia and Rakuten gold.
Going (?): Rafael Dolis
We’ve actually been through this drill with this man. At the end of his first year, 2016, he was left off the team’s protected list and became a free agent. His elbow needed some work that offseason, and he showed his hunger to play for the Tigers when he came back earlier than expected, had a one-day audition at camp in Okinawa, and was signed on. In his four years with the team, he has 96 saves (good for 3rd in team history and 36th in NPB), a 2.49 ERA, but also defensive and control issues (wild pitches being his downfall at times). First, one media source said the team was letting him go. Then another corrected that, saying they are having problems agreeing to contract terms, but hoping to bring him back. Time will tell, but if no deal is reached by month’s end, other teams are free to make him an offer.
Staying (?): Pierce Johnson
At the end of the year, PJ left the team to be with his wife, who was expecting their first child. He came back to the team right at the end of the playoffs, hoping to get into a game or two and make a difference, but left Japan again without getting a mound. His Instagram post upon returning to America hinted that he was done with the team, saying things like, “I was welcomed with open arms from day one and it was an honor playing in front of you guys every day!” Sounds like a final “Thanks” on one’s way out of town, doesn’t it? But wait! Team chairman Tanimoto has some hope. A recent article says that things are going OK though nothing has changed. Just that he (Tanimoto) has noticed PJ “liking” the team’s official Instagram account’s posts. That, apparently, translates into optimism about getting the man back in pinstripes. We shall see if the man with the 1.38 ERA and 40 holds will build on that in 2020 or not.
Told you not much was new. Nothing but rumors! By December, though, things should pick up a little. In the meantime, why don’t you check out the ongoing draft series that is coming out little by little?