Comments on: Yusei Kikuchi’s Press Conference on Monday

By: Buzz: Kikuchi to Meet the Mets on Tuesday

Buzz: Kikuchi to Meet the Mets on Tuesday — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:07:30 +0000

[...] The 18–year-old Kikuchi, who is left-handed and reached 95–mph on the radar gun, is still debating whether to pitching Japan, where he is expected to be the top pick of the draft if he stays, according to Yakyu Baka. [...]

By: Philip

Philip — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:54:48 +0000

Yusei, Own the fact you’ll be the one who is not only the first Japanese player out of hs to MLB, but you will save the arms of fellow countrymen from herein. Take the gift blessed upon you and we look forward to welcoming you with open arms.

By: Gen

Gen — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:30:35 +0000

FA probably seems more Draconian from the outside, looking in.

In other words, the rules in the Majors aren’t under the microscope because you don’t have players trying to leave the US for “greener” pastures like you do here.

I do tend to agree that the FA process is a bit long in Japan. The 2008 test rules did make things ever so slightly better (high school players drafted after 2007 get their national FA options after 8 years and college / industrial league players get it after 7 years), but I don’t see why the NPB doesn’t just drop it all down to something like 7 years for both national and international FA.

I guess the NPB is worried that there will be some sort of mad rush by every player to change teams or go to the Majors, but I really don’t think that would be the case.

By: Deanna

Deanna — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:36:33 +0000

…those white sneakers look like standard school shoes. Heck, is that an actual suit or is it just a school uniform? Hard to tell really.

Er, what is so draconian about the free agency here? That it’s 8/9 years instead of 6 like in the US?

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:59:51 +0000

Gotta love the white sneakers with the suit! I think that Kikuchi would sign with an NPB team first if it wasn’t for their Draconian free agency rule. It’s almost as bad as MLB’s old Reserve Clause!

Although I hope he opts for the NPB, if he does choose to go to the MLB instead, let’s hope he gives the NPB free agency rule as one of the reasons he didn’t choose to play at home. Perhaps then the powers that be will see the light and change the rules!