Thus spoke Akinori
Reliever Akinori Otsuka spoke with Japanese reporters this week, the first time he has spoken publicly since the Rangers signed Eric Gagne in December.
Otsuka was the Rangers closer last year, saving 32 of 36, but is being moved back to the eighth inning so that Gagne can close. General manager Jon Daniels said Otsuka was "disappointed" at no longer being the Rangers closer and that apparently is the case.
According to Japanese news reports, Otsuka said, "I am very proud of myself as a closer. In fact, I had a good record last season.I am preparing for keeping my closer role.
"I believe I would be a closer after spring camp withour any injuries. I am ready to compete. If there is the team which needs me as a closer, I am going to think about (the trade)".
The Rangers don't seem to have any plans to trade Otsuka. He seems to be worth more to them as an eighth-inning reliever than what other teams are offering. Plus the Rangers aren't completely sure that Gagne is over his elbow and back injuries although the reports out of Arizona have been extremely positive.
Pitchers and catchers report in just a little more than a month. Could be an intriguing situation.
Come on Aki, accept your role. Gagne may not be the answer, but he deserves the shot. If he falters, be ready to step in, as you did last year. Otherwise, be happy as the 8th inning set-up guy.
More Rangers talk:
www.tradewars.mlblogs.com
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I like Aki. I really do. He truly deserved to be the Rangers Pitcher of the Year. But when you sign a former Cy Young winner, you have to give him strong consideration.
I don't mean to say Aki will struggle next year but he may have benefited from being new to the league. His first two years with the Padres are evidence of it (7-2 1.75 26/87 BB/KO vs 2-8 3.59 34/60). I'll take the 3.59 ERA but it might be wise to consider some trade possibilities while his value is at his highest.
By the way. Happy Birthday Aki!
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I couldn't disagree more. Aki saved (no pun intended) the Rangers from utter failure after Coco fizzled and died. I don't blame Aki a bit. He earned the shot, won the gig, and made the most of it. I think Gagne should come in and see if he could set up Aki. Aki did that for Coco humbly, and in pressure situations succeeded 99% of the time. Gagne is damaged goods as far as I'm concerned till proven differently. Aki, it was good to know ye. (I hope you'll want to stay-even though management should have consulted you before signing damaged goods). What once seemed like a great pitching situation for '07 now seems like it is starting to fray a bit.
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'Frayed knot.
We've got a knot of good bullpen help,
so fraying is only to be expected, and not necessarily a bad thing.
New wine in an old wine-skin (the set-up role) would just bust the skin and waste the wine.
BOTH are worthy closers.
Before we de-value one of them and keep some other good arm off the roster, let's trade the more trade-valuable one... as a "Closer".
And let's keep the one with more upside, backing him up with our many others.
Some will roll their eyes, but even Benoit could be an interesting closer if Gagne returned to the DL. Lone Star Ball has a diary up naming Benoit as the least "lucky" reliever last year, in having the highest ratio of his runners score after getting inherited by pitchers after him. Imagine if no one came after him.
Surely Aki and Drew Meyer could get us a respectable starting pitcher in return. If we sweeten the pot with Freddy Guzman, we might get another "5th going on frontline" starter, like BMac...
... say Yasmeiro Petit, from Florida. They've been rumored to be after a young CF and also dangling Petit for Armando Benitez. Wouldn't they rather have Aki, especially if he came with Guzman and Meyer?
Sorry, Bingo, now I'M the one who's in danger of beating a dead horse.
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Sorry, T.R., I meant to end thus:
So regarding our new 'Zarathrowstra', "If you have a Nietzche, scratch it."
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I like the idea of going for Petit from FL. He's young and like BMac was considered one of the best pitching prospects in baseball not too long ago. We have to trade or release Meyer so he's an easy throw in to the deal. Guzman or Byrd would be a logical choice to also include for the Marlins. As much as I like Aki and thank him for the effort last year I do agree we need to trade him while his value is high and we have a shot to help our starting rotation long term. If this doesn't work for you JD what about signing Bruce Chen? he'd be a moderately priced FA pickup and is a lefty that has some upside. Although I prefer you persue the trade option first.
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I really don't understand this. We find a closer who can do the job and we control for another couple of years and we sign a formerly great but highly questionable closer. Then people want to trade Aki. If that happens and Gagne can't deliver, this will be a huge screw-up. I didn't and still don't understand the Gagne signing when there were so many other places that money was really needed. I'm not comfortable with our outfield situation. I like Cat, and it's hard to go wrong with with Loftin, but beyond that there are too many questions. Will Brad ever come back to what he once was, and is Cruz going to be what everybody thinks he will. I'd be much more comfortable with one more proven run producer in the outfield.
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This is a good problem for the Rangers to have. It's better to have to many options than not enough options. Aki and Gagne are both great options to close for the rangers, but i think you signed Gagne for a reason and thats to be your closer. Aki will start the season as the set up man but as other teams find out that they are in desperate need of a closer they will call the Rangers about Aki and his trade value will go up. Hold onto your cards JD and bet the chips when the time gets right.
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I really do feel sorry for Aki in this situation, because he did a great job last year. But you have to be reasonable. IF Gagne is back to his old self, he's the closer. No question about it. If we signed Clemens today, you think Millwood would be complaining he's not the Opening Day starter anymore? I think not. A healthy Gagne is better than Aki, end of story. That being said, I still want to keep Aki. Don't trade him unless the Red Sox or some othe club become desparate - and they just might.
In response to jimreid56, who said, "I didn't and still don't understand the Gagne signing..." just tell me if you understand when he saves 50 games.
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Guys, trading Aki, Meyer and Guzman for a prospect like Petit just isn't going to happen. The Marlins are not stupid. Meyer and Guzman are junk, throw-ins. That would essentially be a 1-for-1 swap, Aki for Petit, and like I said, ain't gonna happen.
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Hondo, somehow somebody on Lone Star Ball disagrees with you AND me at the same time.
See attached from LSB:
by thedirkatron on Tue Jan 16, 2007 at 09:35:58 AM EST
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AO
Should be able to get us a pitcher like Petit all by himself. And I'm not sure I'd do that deal. Petit was always viewed as a guy who didn't have overpowering stuff and would have to prove he could get guys out at the higher levels of baseball.
I'm not sure he proved anything with his performance last year.
Stats: http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/P/Yusmeiro-Petit.shtml
I'm not saying he's no longer a good prospect or that he won't succeed, I'm just saying he's not the kind of young major leaguer I'd trade a proven closer for.
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While I disagree with his desirability (Check out Petit's 2nd year at each level.)-- I think he's Mac Carthy-esque (possibly heaven for 2007, likely great for 2008)-- I was glad to see that this guy (who strikes me as solid) sees Petit as obtainable.
(p.s. Hondo, I think you're right on about Sosa, but that we should merely upgrade our prospect for the 5-spot).
Cheers,
Mike in St. Helena
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