Akinori Iwamura Posted

[Orange Nation]

Looked elsewhere for a thread on this topic, so if I'm repeating I apologize.

Akinori Iwamura was posted on Monday:

He has the following things going for him:

--44, 30, 32 HR his last three seasons
--.383, .388, .389 OBP his last three seasons
--OPS above .900 the last three seasons

If those numbers were in MLB then this guy would look very similar to Aramis Ramirez, except perhaps for the RBI totals.

He has also won 3 gold gloves at 3rd, can play 2B and CF.

His posting cost has been estimated at about 1 million.

As a Red Sox Fan, I want the Red Sox to post 3 million and just get this guy. What more could you possibly want? Offer him 4 million a year and use him as a super UTIL guy, unless he beats out Lowell or Youk, or if we are able to move Lowell or Youk for pitching. I would send BOTH to a team, along with a good chunk of Lowell's salary to get a solid #5 hitter, and power hitting 1B, if possible.

Any thoughts?

[Merk]

I think the RS and Padres are the front runners for him and Philly is in the mix to I believe

[Orange Nation]

Here's some news:

Akinori Iwamura, 3B--Yakult Swallows: The Padres, Red Sox and Devil Rays all made bids for his rights. The Indians and Phillies may also have made bids, though the Phillies had stated earlier this week that would not and the Indians no longer have a huge need for him. The Swallows have till Thursday afternoon to accept or decline the estimated $5-10M winning bid. He is expected to seek $4-5M a year on a 3 or 4-year deal.
Last updated: 12:34 PM - Nov 11, 06 by MLB4U.com | Source: San Diego Union-Tribune

I'm glad to see that the sox made a bid. Now the waiting game begins, we will hear something by Thursday.

MLB needs to adopt an International Draft.

[Orange Nation]

The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that the Devil Rays won the bid on Akinori Iwamura.

http://www.cleveland.com/weblogs/pdsports/index.ssf?/mtlogs/cleve_pdsports/archives/2006_11.html#204730

It makes no sense to me why the Devil Rays bid especially with Longoria, Brignac and Upton. There infield was too crowded to begin with.

[ckg68]

Plus,if anyone honestly thinks signing this guy will INSTANTLY make the D-Rays better,they're wrong.

They sucked before he got there,and they'll still suck if he signs.

[Merk]

D-Rays making Moves!! :)

[Carl J. Ironsides]

World Series, here come the D-Rays!