It appears Tampa Bay has won the bidding right for Japanese third baseman Akinori Iwamura. The Devil Rays reportedly outbid the Indians, San Diego and Boston for the left-handed hitter. The Yakult Swallows, Iwamura's club, are expected to announce the winning bid Wednesday or Thursday.

http://www.cleveland.com/weblogs/pdsports/..._11.html#204730

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Looks to me BJ is moving to the OF. Rocco and Crawford just became crazy available.

:mischief2

I thought for sure that:

 

1) The Phillies would have had the high bid

 

and

 

2) The Rays would have given Upton at least a season at third before making a move.

 

This one sure makes things very interesting.

Have the Rays totally given up on Upton being a shortstop? Upton has a strong arm and could play the outfield. I really feel sorry for Iwamura I'm sure he was thinking Seattle, LA or SD, but Tampa Bay :blink:

he also plays second base

he also plays second base

Cantu is there

There's an opening at Short.

Can't Cantu play short?

I recall that he did at one point, but if he didn't, Im sure he can...

 

G GS OUTS TC TC/G CH PO A E DP PB CASB CACS FLD% RF

 

SS Totals 1 1 21 4 4.0 4 2 2 0 0 n/a n/a n/a 1.000 5.14

 

 

Edit: Yeah... he did, a grand total of one game, can't argue with that 1.000% fielding percentage though

Can't Cantu play short?

 

He's be more likely to move to first than short. I expect that their SS of the future is not Upton, or Zobrist, but a current top prospect, Reid Brignac. The Rays are loaded with prospects at nearly every position and if Upton doesn't emerge quickly, he may get lost in the shuffle despite all the potential we've heard about but never seen.

I like the aggresiveness of Tampa with this move.

I doubt someone would want to leave Japan to come play for Tampa. :|

Maybe he won't sign and he'll just wait to be posted again next season.

Wow! I'm very surprised that the D-Rays finally stepped up and put some money out there to help their ballclub. Great job.

I like the aggresiveness of Tampa with this move.

 

Their ownership understands what it needs to do to win back the fans in that market, unlike other franchises :whistle

the Rays have Ben Zobrist at SS... for now