The Hanshin Tigers have added an eighth foreigner to the roster for 2020, signing relief pitcher Jon Edwards. The 31-year old righty out of Illinois (and most recently, the Cleveland Indians organization, had this to say:
“First of all, my family and I are so thankful to the Hanshin Tigers organization for giving me the chance to play in Japan next season. I’ve been through good and bad in my playing career, and now I’m really excited to turn the page and have a new beginning in Japan. I hope to contribute to the Tigers’ pennant run by setting up Kyuji Fujikawa in the bullpen.”
T-Ray’s Two (Million) Yen
In some ways, I am extremely happy about this signing, as well as the others. You know as well as I do (if you’re following us, anyways) that the team has signed imports mid-season nearly every year this past decade: Nelson Perez, Cody Satterwhite, Jason Rogers, Luis Mendoza, Efren Navarro, Yangervis Solarte just to name a few. If you don’t recognize any of these names, either you are new to following the team, or maybe it’s just because they aren’t around anymore. Getting all the players under contract before spring training helps them get into a groove, and increases their chances at success in Japan.
On the other hand, I am extremely worried about the logjam created by having 8 imports on the roster: Yen-Ching Lu, Onelki Garcia and Jefry Marte from last year, and Justin Bour, Joe Gunkel, Jerry Sands, Robert Suarez and Jon Edwards added in the past month. Surely you are aware of the fact that NPB only allows for 4 of these guys to be on the top squad at any given time during the season.
My math tells me that this means 4 of them will be on the farm at all times. Setting aside the fact that these guys are being paid relatively handsomely, will they be happy to play day games in the sweltering heat of summer (top squad games are all in the evening or under domes), travel by bus (at times) and play in remote, sparsely-attended games, while not having the same level of clubhouse camaraderie they had in the minors in America? Will their families be content if they are not happy here? What is the team going to do to ensure that they stay positive, supported, sane and motivated?
As I detailed in a translated piece soon after Solarte’s exodus in September, other teams (Hiroshima and Rakuten are the first two that come to mind) are much more proactive and supportive of the import players, especially the ones who get relegated to the farm. Hanshin has no such support system, at least to the best of my knowledge.
Things that Hanshin should start providing for import players and their families:
1) Culture lessons and general guidance about life in their new country and city.
2) Japanese language lessons
3) Connections with other ex-pats in various communities (entertainment, lessons, children’s playgroups, church, etc.)
4) Guidance on how to deal with the media, how to do good hero interviews, how to interact with coaches, etc.
5) Gatherings with other players (Japanese and fellow imports) outside of baseball practices and games, for example, BBQ nights and such.
6) Information about great getaways in Japan and Asia during short breaks (All-Star break, and especially in 2020, the Olympic break) plus before leaving for their homeland at season’s end. (Ever notice players and their families are on the first flight out of Japan right after the 9th inning of the last game?)
7) A better chance of integrating into the community.
8) Someone who can listen to them if and when they experience hardship and culture shock.
There you have it. One suggestion per import. Now, who could fulfill this kind of role… hmmm… someone who knows the language, the region, the culture, the team… if you know of anyone like this, let me know!