The Rays finally announced what we all ready knew they had landed the rights to negotiate with Japanese slugger Akinori Iwamura.
Let's hope we hear loads of I-WAM-UR-A chants at the Trop this season.
Fox Sports is reporting 3B Wes Helms has signed with the Phillies....mark that one off of Jake's list, though Delluci may make up for that one. Finally, Jake is calling this one, much the same way I predicted (in some ways) the Rays landing Akinori. The Cleveland Plains Dealer is reporting left hander Kei Igawa on Monday. Jake thinks the Rays will bid on Kei Igawa, and given our track record with Japanese players this off-season (bidding on all available) I don't doubt it.
The Indians are one of the teams interested, according to Plains Dealer writer Paul Hoynes(who does a great job breaking news and keeping fans up to date on the latest news.)