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Nolan Ryan confident Rangers will sign Darvish

Sports Jan. 13, 2012 - 12:17PM JST ( 7 )

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7 Comments

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yaguraJan. 13, 2012 - 01:16PM JST

Saw something (I think it was a magazine advertisement) a few days ago right around the time that Darvish was returning from his visit to Texas that was pretty funny. It said that the three things that most worried him about moving to the U.S. were: 'Eigo', 'Meshi' and 'Sekkusu'.

I only wish I could remember where I saw it. :D
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BurakuminDesJan. 14, 2012 - 02:26AM JST

The Rangers last month bid a record $51.7 million under the posting system to win the right to negotiate with the 25-year-old Darvish, considered Japan’s best pitcher.

That figure is amazing - just to negotiate with Darvish and his people! Some serious money in the USA and American Baseball that the rest of us mob can't comprehend... Heck - no wonder every baseball player worth his salt in Japan is breaking his neck to get over there with the coin those Americans have!
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Patrick HattmanJan. 14, 2012 - 04:14AM JST

With the Rangers losing Wilson to the Angels and not keeping Lee the year before, it's really important they sign a potential standout SP in Darvish to do well in the division title fight this season.
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Patrick HattmanJan. 14, 2012 - 04:24AM JST

It said that the three things that most worried him about moving to the U.S. were: 'Eigo', 'Meshi' and 'Sekkusu'.

The same things were of concern to Hideki Matsui in 2003, and he had been largely prevented from having any normal relationships with women by the Yomiuri Giants. There were some interesting solutions to the problems suggested at the time. And I'm sure he had few problems with having fun, eating good food, and communicating after a while in an international city like NY.

Darvish is a good-looking guy who will have few problems too-after a period of adjustment-living near a booming area like Dallas/Ft. Worth. And I bet guys like Uehara and Tateyama will help him get used to things.

He should be most concerned about his baseball performance.
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sfjp330Jan. 14, 2012 - 11:28AM JST

Patrick HattmanJan. 14, 2012 - 04:14AM JST With the Rangers losing Wilson to the Angels and not keeping Lee the year before, it's really important they sign a potential standout SP in Darvish to do well in the division title fight this season.

But what happens if he doesn't sign? What options do the Rangers have left in adding a starting pitcher? The first option is that they could do nothing and go with a rotation of Colby Lewis, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison, Alexi Ogando and Neftali Feliz. That's still not a bad group of pitchers and they made it to the World Series last season without an ace.

The second option is to sort through what's left in the free agent market. Fans seem to like Roy Oswalt but they only see his name and not his declining numbers. If he was still that great do you think the Phillies would allow him to leave? I don't.

Then there's Hiroki Kuroda. In four seasons in the majors he has a 3.45 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP and has a K/BB ratio around 3. He has good numbers; however, he is limited by his age. He'll be 37 next month and therefore not worth giving a long-term deal to. One or two years maybe.
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GodanJan. 14, 2012 - 11:55AM JST

The clock is ticking on this deal...hope things get worked out.

@Sfjp330 - funny you mention Kuroda. He's was just signed by the Yankees to a one-year deal. Called that one right!

As for the food, wait till he gets some real Texas BBQ - lucky guy!
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Patrick HattmanJan. 15, 2012 - 02:16AM JST

@sfjp330:

The rotation for the Rangers without Darvish could still be O.K. to be sure, but they need something much more like the NPB star to compete with the Angels, IMHO. Additions like Pujols and Wilson are huge for the Angels, and they have incredible money to throw around with their new TV contract. (This doesn't mean they'll keep their stars healthy and productive to get the pennant, though.) It will make for an interesting season in the AL West, though.

Yeah, there are definitely some decent FA SP options still out there. But getting the right one is always tough.

Oswalt has had too many back problems to be counted on in '12. He might do well, but I doubt it.

The Rangers are obviously convinced that Darvish is worth the money.

If Darvish is not satisfied with their offer and/or not comfortable with moving to the U.S. at present, he could always return to NPB for another year. It would be good for NPB and Darvish could go through the posting system again next year and be more prepared for it.

I still think he will be a Texas Ranger soon, but we shall see.