Rays Might Go to Japan, Again

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 2, 2007 3:46 PM EDT

Your next Rays closer?

Kazuo Fukumori - RHP - 31-year-old closer finished with ERAs of 3.57, 2.17 and 4.75 the last three years. 124/68 K/BB ratio in 157 IP over the three seasons. Missed time in 2007 with elbow issues. Japan Baseball Daily says the Rays are interested. Poor command of stuff that rates little better than average would seem to put him in worse position to succeed in the majors than some other Japanese relievers.

Per Rotoworld via Japan Baseball Daily, according to his name he's not a fan of Shinji Mori -- yes I had to make that lame joke -- he'd also give the Rays two players going by the nickname "Kaz".

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Re: Rays Might Go to Japan, Again

He doesn't sound like he'd even be better than Balfour or Dohmann, if that.

by raysrule07 on Nov 2, 2007 4:22 PM EDT reply actions

Is he better than Glover and Stokes though?

He probably wouldn't be our closer, but every bit helps.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 2, 2007 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm sure he'd be better than Stokes

But even if he is better than Stokes, he's not better than Reyes, Wheeler, Salas, Dohmann, Balfour, and maybe not even Glover. That would make him the seventh option in the pen, which I think would be better served giving the spot to a young guy with more potential who loses out on the fight for the rotation, such as Niemann, Howell, Hammel, or Jackson.

by raysrule07 on Nov 2, 2007 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure if he's better than them

But all he'd take up is a 40 man spot, we could option him to Durham if he wasn't one of the best seven; if he's cheap enough (no posting free, he's a straight FA) I don't see the problem.

A MiLD candidate would be Matt Mantei...Tampa native; couldn't hurt.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 2, 2007 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Not sure if he's better than them

I could ask Mantei tommorow if he has an interest. He and his brothers are in our tailgate for Buc Football.

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Nov 3, 2007 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Wow, that's very cool

I realized that he's Tigers property after I posted that.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 3, 2007 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Might not be a bad idea

If the price is low.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Nov 2, 2007 7:06 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 2, 2007 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Posting or FA

Does he qualify for UFA or does he have to be posted on? Just making sure. Sounds like he is a UFA.

Joe

by joedobr on Nov 2, 2007 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

UFA

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 2, 2007 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Okajima

His "cult" success might drive his price up to what would have been considered unreasonable. I think Kazuo will benefit from Okajima's success.

Joe

by joedobr on Nov 2, 2007 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't really agree with that

Looking at the market there are quite a few more established and presumably better options than Fukumori. I've done some research on Japanese pitchers in order for the off-season since it is a very smart way to get good talent below market value and I've never heard of the guy. Hell he's being overshadowed by Kobayshi (not him...) declaring for free agency today.

Let's compare Okajima and Fukumori:
Okajima's a lefty; Fukumori's not.
Okajima struck out more than 1 per inning, not so much for Fukumori.
Both around the same age, but Okajima didn't have existing injury concerns.

I think you have a point about the top Japanese relievers, but I can't see this guy getting close to an American value deal.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 2, 2007 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Head drop

Does he drop his head and create deception like Okajima? Sure not everyone has a John Farrell as their pitching coach, but some teams may like a ground ball pitcher.

Any youtube on him? If what you are saying is true, then an invite, ok, I would, but nothing guaranteed w/injury concerns.

Does he have any gimmicks like a head drop or a slow delivery?

Joe

by joedobr on Nov 2, 2007 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions