Nakajima to the Yankees

[sangar]

There has been some reports about the O's being interested so I thought it was worth mentioning. They won the bidding for 2M.

[Can_of_corn]

There has been some reports about the O's being interested so I thought it was worth mentioning. They won the bidding for 2M.

Lower bid then I expected. I would have had him pegged for somewhere between 3-4 million. Not sure where they will play him.

[sangar]

Lower bid then I expected. I would have had him pegged for somewhere between 3-4 million. Not sure where they will play him.

Maybe as utility infielder off the bench or a late inning defensive replacement?

[Can_of_corn]

Maybe as utility infielder off the bench or a late inning defensive replacement?

I could see him turning down the offer. Word is he wanted the west coast to begin with. If I am comfortably well off and an established star I don't think I would come to the US to be an utility infielder.

[Austin]

I could see him turning down the offer. Word is he wanted the west coast to begin with. If I am comfortably well off and an established star I don't think I would come to the US to be an utility infielder.

Maybe. The Yankees are one of the few teams that are an internationally recognized brand, I could see him falling for the allure of playing for them.

[DrungoHazewood]

I could see him turning down the offer. Word is he wanted the west coast to begin with. If I am comfortably well off and an established star I don't think I would come to the US to be an utility infielder.

If he was terribly concerned about his projected role, why ask to be posted at all?

[Can_of_corn]

If he was terribly concerned about his projected role, why ask to be posted at all?

He might not have even considered that the winning team would view him as a utility guy.

/shrug we will find out in a few weeks.

[DrungoHazewood]

He might not have even considered that the winning team would view him as a utility guy.

/shrug we will find out in a few weeks.

I doubt that. These guys are well aware of Major League Baseball, and they absolutely know what Iwamura, Kaz Matsui, and Nishioka have done in the majors.

[sangar]

I could see him turning down the offer. Word is he wanted the west coast to begin with. If I am comfortably well off and an established star I don't think I would come to the US to be an utility infielder.

If true, this would certainly be an interesting development:

http://twitter.com/#!/Joelsherman1/status/144830510106021888

[Can_of_corn]

Called it

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/05/yankees-fail-to-sign-japanese-infielder-hiroyuki-nakajima/

[Hallas]

Can you sign-and-trade posted players? That would have been absolutely hilarious, especially if the Yanks had gotten a legit prospect in return.

[Roll Tide]

New York Yankees fail to reach agreement with Hiroyuki Nakajima

by Gen on Jan.06, 2012 @ 10:49 am, under MLB, NPB

The New York Yankees have failed to reach an agreement with Hiroyuki Nakajima. Via MLB.com's Bryan Hoch:

"We unfortunately could not come to an agreement with Hiroyuki," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement. "We wish him the best of luck during the upcoming 2012 season."

Nakajima is quoted as saying:

It is unfortunate we could not agree to a deal. I want to thank the Seibu Lions for posting me and the New York Yankees for placing a bid on me

Just putting it out there.

[Can_of_corn]

Nakajima wanted to start

“Under the posting system, Nakajima was permitted to negotiate only with the New York Yankees. While the Yankees are obviously a tremendous franchise and Nakajima was honored by their interest, the Yankees have All-Stars at every infield position, and from the outset it seemed dubious that they would have a role for him commensurate with his abilities and goals.

“Out of respect for the Yankees and for the process, we engaged in discussions, but it became clear that this was not a good fit at this stage of his career. Nakajima’s decision had nothing to do with money; he just didn’t feel that he would be using his abilities to the fullest and helping his club to the maximum extent possible in the role that the Yankees envisioned for him.

http://mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/mlbbuzz/why_nakajima_did_not_sign_with_yankees/9192220?new_post=true

[kyleott]

Nakajima is attempting to make the crossover to the MLB again this offseason. He has a .380 career OBP, I know that people were down on him as an everyday player, and he was expected to be a UTIL guy, but is this someone the O's should be interested in?