The failure of the Kaz Matsui signing has probably left most Mets fans with a negative impression about signing players from Japan. Yet, Omar Minaya should look towards Japan this off season for a few pitching options to at least consider.
Junichi Tawaza is a 22 year old Japanese amateur that has already attracted attention from many MLB organizations. Tawaza skipped the Japanese draft in order to sign with a MLB team this off season, and the Mets should certainly be one of the teams thinking about him. Tawaza is just like any other international free agent, and does not require a posting fee like many other Japanese players because he is not connected with any Japanese professional team. Out of all the Japanese options, Tawaza brings the most upside and youth to the table.
Koji Uehara provides the flexibility of being both a starter and a reliever. He was one of the top starters in Japan until 2007, when he was moved to the closer role. As a closer he was phenomenal, and could definitely provide late inning relief to MLB clubs.
Kenshin Kawakami is probably the least appealing option among this trio. Most people profile him as a 5th starter in the states, but unlike most other people with ’5th starter stuff’ he will at least have the advantage of other teams being unfamiliar with him.
The are many advantages to signing Japanese players. First of all, there are the marketing incentives that many other teams have capitalized on in order to rake in some extra dough. Second of all, especially for Uehara and Tawaza, free agents of similar talent this off season will likely cost the Mets a draft pick. Minaya’s tendency to disregard the future ramifications of signing so many type A free agents is one of the primary factors causing the Mets’ farm system to be so depleted (the other main reason being Johan Santana).
I am not a scout, and cannot say for sure whether or not these players are really good enough to succeed in MLB. I merely implore the Mets brain-trust to do their due diligence in judging and considering the Japanese players.
