Akinori Iwamura available?

According to the article from MLB.com, Iwamura could be available depending on what the Rays decide to do with Ben Zobrist. If they make him the everyday 2B, then Kapler would likely be brought back and Iwamura would be let go. But if they decide to keep Zobrist in RF, then Iwamura would likely stay and Kapler would go.

The Cubs should look into this, which could potentially lead to Jeff Baker being a utility player, much like Mark DeRosa was before him. Not to mention the possible addition of speed in the lineup, if Piniella has discovered that yet.

over 2 years ago zam 19 comments 0 recs |

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If Iwamura is acquired...

… may as well trade Baker.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 16, 2009 4:44 PM CDT reply actions

Jeff Baker is better than Iwamura.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 17, 2009 6:59 AM CDT up reply actions

Iwamura has no power

not even hamster power.

He plays great defense, or at least he did before he got injured, but I don’t think he is worth a spot in the everyday lineup.

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by cubzfan on Oct 16, 2009 5:06 PM CDT reply actions

Really?

I think he’d be great for this team, and Kosuke of course.

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Oct 16, 2009 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Iwamura's stats

OBA last 3 years: .359, .349, .355
SLG last 3 years: .411, .380, .390

With Fukudome and Theriot already in the lineup, and maybe another “leadoff hitter,” I don’t think Iwamura fits. He is not a good base stealer, and has a career OPS+ of 97 (below average). Baker can do that for much less. Or, if you prefer, Baker and Blanco.

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by cubzfan on Oct 16, 2009 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions

I can see your side

I would still like him though. He just seems more dependable than anyone else the Cubs would start there, unless it was another free agent, or someone acquired in a trade.

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Oct 16, 2009 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions

i think we have

AARON MILES

"hey

by jesus christos on Oct 16, 2009 11:14 PM CDT up reply actions

We need baserunners

That’s exactly what Iwamura would be over 200 times a season if he stays healthy!

I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT

by cubsluver22 on Oct 16, 2009 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't do it just for Kosuke

Get him a puppy if he is lonely. Get Iwamura if he makes the team better. Which, is an open question. He isn’t a game changing lead-off hitter, and I still have the dream of an upgrade at SS, and Theriot sliding over to 2B. Where this team needs help is at the lead-off spot, and adding some power. Of course, the elephant in the room is MB. I don’t know what kind of moves the team can make until he is gone, or he makes up and we go through the turmoil that he is coming back.

by Nibbles on Oct 16, 2009 9:06 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed.

I think the window of need to get Fukudome a “friend” has closed. Kosuke’s now had two full seasons to adjust to major league baseball. If anything, just keep his hitting coach from Japan around.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 19, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Pass...

I think the Cubs can do better. Real nice complementary player, but he doesn’t do anything incredibly well. And IIRC, his stats looked to be tailing off a bit.

by Damen Jackson on Oct 16, 2009 9:21 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 19, 2009 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Not a fan

As a bench player, fine. As a starter? Eh. What role does he fit? Leadoff type? Not ideal, IMO, despite having past experience there. He’s not a middle of the order bat. At least, with Baker, you have the potential for some pop.

I do think he will be available, as I think they should move Zobrist to RF and put Reid Brignac at 2nd and move Rodriguez into the UTIL role. Heck, trade BJ Upton at the same time and give the CF job to Desmond Jennings. Actually, I could see all of that happen this offseason … and see the Rays get better next year.

by toonsterwu on Oct 16, 2009 11:08 PM CDT reply actions

I say no

no no no no no no no no no no no

4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42

by fischisgod on Oct 17, 2009 10:27 AM CDT reply actions

the second to the last "no" lacked conviction

"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill

by vonde6 on Oct 17, 2009 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Amy Winehouse - is that you?

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 18, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions

this would

be a good pickup. aki did a really good job for the rays. and we annoint baker as the new derosa. but that would mean fontenot would have to go.

by NOMAR on Oct 18, 2009 7:31 AM CDT reply actions

Doubt this happens

It would seem that Jim Hendry is going to have to pare back the payroll some. Losing Harden, Gregg and Heilman will help that cause. But I don’t see Hendry turning around and spending those savings at 2nd base.

Plus Iwamura will cost a decent sum to acquire via trade.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Oct 18, 2009 4:29 PM CDT reply actions

i doubt it

he doesn’t bring that much to the table, and most people know that the Rays have to cut some costs. With more talented players on hand in Reid Brignac and Ben Zobrist, I doubt he would cost much.

Actually, I still think that they will end up cutting Akinori unless Aki takes a pay cut.

Still doesn’t change the general fact that I don’t care to add Akinori as anything more than a backup, and as such, find him a bit unnecessary.

by toonsterwu on Oct 19, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions