Brewers Going After Japanese Veteran?

Via Rotoworld, the Brewers are one of four teams rumored to be interested in 39-year-old Japanese lefty Ken Takahashi. Takahashi is 66-87 with a 4.23 ERA in 14 seasons (career numbers through 2007 here) and went 8-5 with a 3.50 ERA last season. His manager in Japan doesn't sound optimistic about Takahashi's chances:

"'I really respect him,' Brown said of the pitcher who went 8-5 for a sub-.500 team with little offense that plays in a bandbox. 'He's done everything I've asked him to do.

'He thinks his changeup is as good as [Hideki] Okajima's. But he doesn't get lefties out, and he can't start every fifth day.'"

Trying to keep teams away from his pitcher or telling it like it is? I guess we'll see. In the meantime, for fun, this guy was the last Japanese lefty signed by the Brewers.

7 months ago TheJay Comment 13 comments 0 recs |

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Read More: ken takahashi, takahito nomura

Comments

Did you look Nomura up or did you remember him?

If the Brewers have scouting and are evaluating players there I’d be encouraged.

by ol Pete on Nov 23, 2008 8:00 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I remember him

He was awful.

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Nov 23, 2008 10:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My instinct

Was to think that link was going to reunite me with the one and only Mr. Tomokazu Ohka…then I remembered he was a righty and had no idea who it was going to be.

Congrats 08 Crew on a fine Wild Card achievement! What do you say we keep the next postseason drought to something a little shorter than a quarter of a Century.

by MadJimiBrewha on Nov 23, 2008 10:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Over at the Rays sister site or beyondtheboxscore there was a thread where they were talking about value picks for pitchers. On the list was Tomo and none other than the Claudio Vargas.

by ol Pete on Nov 23, 2008 11:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I was watching some Dominican ball the other night and Vargas was pitching. Now, mind you, I hadn’t actually ever seen Vargas pitch until then (I had listened to a few games he pitched) and argh I cannot believe how slowly that man works now that I can see it. It’s bad enough knowing when you’re listening that it takes him about twice as long to pitch as everyone else, but seeing it was something else.

by morineko on Nov 24, 2008 2:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Even in his successful outings with the Brewers, he could be agonizing. There were more than a few people who said they didn’t want him back regardless if it was a good idea.

by ol Pete on Nov 24, 2008 5:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

When diod we start talking about Ben Sheets?

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Nov 25, 2008 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I still think he could be a better than average closer

(Vargas, not Tomo. Tomo should DH)

And neck size to baby eating ratio.

by Jordan M on Nov 24, 2008 9:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think the usual distinctions between “statheads” and whatever are very accurate and of much use, but if I can contradict myself, I thought it was weird that the list was by a “stathead” and it was part of a discussion on the mistaken value of spending a lot of money on free agent pitching.

Also, I need to write in shorter sentences.

by ol Pete on Nov 24, 2008 5:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

by TheJay on Nov 25, 2008 10:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

False alarm, it seems

Melvin did slam the door shut Tuesday on one rumor that the Brewers were interested in 39-year-old Japanese left-hander Ken Takahashi.

“We’re not involved with any Japanese players,” Melvin said.

link

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Nov 25, 2008 5:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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