Month: November 2016

Imports Messenger, Mateo Sign 2017 Contracts

Original article can be found here 元の記事はこちら Hanshin announced on the 29th that it has signed Randy Messenger (35) and Marcos Mateo (32) on for next season. Messenger will make an estimated ¥350,000,000 ($3.1 million) per season for two years. Next season will be his eighth with the club, which gives him the longest tenure…

Takayama Wins Rookie of the Year; Other Awards

Hanshin Tigers 2015 Round 1 draft pick Shun Takayama (OF) has won the Central League Rookie of the Year Award. He received 220 out of a possible 269 points and becomes the first Tiger to win the prize since 2007, when pitcher Keiji Uezono took it home. He becomes the ninth Tiger in club history…

Translation: Itoi Press Conference

Translation: Itoi Press Conference

Original Article Can be Read Here 元の記事はこちら — First a question for manager Tomoaki Kanemoto. You landed the player you called your “first lover” during the negotiation process… “Next season will be my second since taking the job. Free agency acquisitions are very different than the draft, and he was the first guy I pursued,…

Tigers Ink Reliever Mendez

Hanshin announced on Sunday (11/20) that it has reached an agreement with former Boston Red Sox (AAA) reliever Roman Mendez (26) for the 2017 season. The Dominican righty is expected to compete for the role of closer next year. His fastball reaches 159 km/h (99 mph) and he also throws a slider and a changeup. He…

Andy’s Eye on the Tigers 2

Andy’s Eye on the Tigers 2

Farewell to the 2016 Gaijin The Tigers made it official today. My hometown player, Matt Hague, is among the foreign-born players that won’t be returning to the Tigers in 2017. Honestly, it was to be expected. He only hit .231 with two home runs for Hanshin, and that’s after his 2015 season in Buffalo, where…

Report: Gomez Not Coming Back in 2017

Original article can be found here 元の記事はこちら Hanshin officials divulged on the 15th that the team will not be signing infielder Mauro Gomez (32) to a contract next season. Team management has said they are “leaning towards cancelling his contract.” In his third year with the club, Gomez appeared in 139 games, hitting .255 with…