10 replies to this topic

[rembrat]

Fangraph's latest write up on Nakajima suggests that the Yankees will trade him if they come to terms with him.

Link

Really frustrating that Ben didn't even bother to bid on him but spent $3.5M Nick Punto.

[Orel Miraculous]

Really frustrating that Ben didn't even bother to bid on him but spent $3.5M Nick Punto.

You're not kidding. Here's what a scout has to say about him from that article:

“He’s not going to take Jeter’s place, but he’s capable of being an everyday shortstop in the big leagues.”

The scout projects Nakajima as a .270-.280 hitter who will drive in runs and use his instincts to steal bases, despite being a below-average runner. He lacks arm strength at short, but has great hands, very good range to his left and hangs in on the double play, the scout said.

So, yeah. Better than Nick Punto.

Nevertheless, he doesn't want to be a backup infielder. So, even if Ben had bid and won, he'd probably be asking for a sign and trade from the Sox too.

Edited by Orel Miraculous, 15 December 2011 - 02:37 PM.

[rembrat]

You're not kidding. Here's what a scout has to say about him from that article:

So, yeah. Better than Nick Punto.

Nevertheless, he doesn't want to be a backup infielder. So, even if Ben had bid and won, he'd probably be asking for a sign and trade from the Sox too.

Even still, the return for a SS with potential is worth more than Nick Punto. If the Yankees reach an agreement with Nakajima and so choose to go after Gio or Danks, guess what, they now have a 29 year old SS with potential making chump change to throw into the pot.

[quiggy]

Even still, the return for a SS with potential is worth more than Nick Punto. If the Yankees reach an agreement with Nakajima and so choose to go after Gio or Danks, guess what, they now have a 29 year old SS with potential making chump change to throw into the pot.

Don't forget-MLB GMs thought so little of this guy a week ago, no one bid more than $2.4M for his rights.

It does, theoretically, free them up to move Nunez, who doesn't have a ton of value either, but probably more than Nakajima.

[BucketOBalls]

You're not kidding. Here's what a scout has to say about him from that article:

So, yeah. Better than Nick Punto.

Nevertheless, he doesn't want to be a backup infielder. So, even if Ben had bid and won, he'd probably be asking for a sign and trade from the Sox too.

The Sox SS's are a 36 year old Scooter and Mike"Was let go by the Royals" Avilas. His chances at a starting job arn't actually THAT bad.

Although this:

The scout projects Nakajima as a .270-.280 hitter who will drive in runs and use his instincts to steal bases, despite being a below-average runner. He lacks arm strength at short, but has great hands, very good range to his left and hangs in on the double play, the scout said.

Sounds likes a scouts version of Nick Punto.

[jon abbey]

The stuff about him wanting a starting job is only speculation, as best I can tell. Of course everyone wants a starting job, but I had my wife translate to me Nakajima's reaction quotes to the posting fee, and at least officially, it sounded like he would welcome the challenge of trying to earn playing time on NY.

I think it's a possibility that they sign him and keep both him and Nunez (who can be an emergency 5th OF), for a four man bench of those two, Cervelli (3rd catcher with Montero's catching ability being in doubt) and Andruw Jones (unsigned, but all reports are there is strong mutual interest still). Nunez is also a great pinch runner.

[jon abbey]

Heyman says the deadline for him to sign is tomorrow and the two sides are far apart still:

https://twitter.com/#!/JonHeymanCBS/status/153183021305036801

[jon abbey]

Heyman just corrected himself, the deadline is actually Friday.

[Freddy Linn]

Yanks, Nakajima can't agree

As expected, the New York Yankees struck out in their pursuit of Hiroyuki Nakajima, announcing on Thursday that they had failed to reach an agreement with the 29-year-old Japanese shortstop whom they had won the bidding rights to with a $2 million posting fee.

"We unfortunately could not come to an agreement with Hiroyuki," general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement released by the club. "We wish him the best of luck during the upcoming 2012 season."

[underhandtofirst]

No deal

Link

The failure to sign Nakajima was hardly a surprise. Nakajima, a career .310 hitter in five seasons with the Seibu Lions of the Japan Pacific League, could only hope for a part-time role with the Yankees, who were said to be offering in the neighborhood of $2 million a year for his services as a backup to Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano.

[jon abbey]

He wasn't really a great fit. With Nunez already on board, they need a backup 3B, hopefully they can get Chavez back now.