Matt Monagan at MLB.com writes about how a pirated WGN feed turned Belize into a nation of Cubs fans.
Hat Tip, Baseball Primer Newsblog.
Far Flung Fans
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Category Archives: International
No Place Like Home
Masahiro Tanaka floats the possibility of signing with a Japanese baseball team:
The 32-year-old, along with most of his free-agency class, has been a casualty of the economic pain caused by the novel coronavirus, with clubs’ revenues slashed dramatically in 2020 and an uncertain forecast for the upcoming campaign.
NYPost.com
Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) manged to play 120 games of their 143 game season in 2020. I could imagine Tanaka signing a one-year deal that would likely provide him with more work, then coming back to the US when he’s sure to get paid for a full season. The probability is low that will happen, but given the current pandemic situation in the US, it’s not clear how many games the majors will play this season. It was clear last season that 60 games is the max they will play with no fans in the stands.
I have hoped for a long time that NPB would go after North American free agents. This might be the year those players could sign for a reasonable price.
Padres Keep Adding
Reports put Korean star Ha-seong Kim on the Padres roster:
The versatile Kim primarily played shortstop and third base in the KBO, and it is unclear where he would play with the Padres, who already have superstars Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado at shortstop and third base, respectively.
ESPN.com
I would think off hand that Kim might fit at second base, giving the Padres a chance to flip Jake Cronenworth. Cronenworth showed little power in the minors, so maybe San Diego can get a deal given his good 2020 season. Kim would also provide some insurance in case Tommy Pham fails to return from his stabbing injury.
More on Arihara
National treasure David Laurila talks to former Harvard and major league pitcher Frank Herrmann. Herrmann saw Kohei Arihara up close:
“He’s a big bodied pitcher with a slightly above average fastball,” said Herrmann, who plays for the rival Chiba Lotte Marines. “Two years ago his split-finger was a plus pitch, but he didn’t use it nearly as much last season when he featured an average changeup. He holds his velocity (92-95) well, even as he gets over the 100 pitch mark. He would benefit by pitching off his fastball more as he tends to get, unnecessarily, off-speed heavy at times. I think he projects as a 4/5 starter type that can give you innings and the occasional dominant start. I’ve just seen him be pretty inconsistent in my four years playing against him, as he tends to trade good months and bad months.”
FanGraphs.com
I do wonder if the Rangers see something in Arihara that they can improve. Texas did bring Lance Lynn back to dominance. If it’s better pitch selection or improved spin rates, there might be a way make the good months more frequent than the bad months.
Texas Goes East
The Texas Rangers sign Japanese pitcher Kohei Arihara of the Nippon Ham Fighters to a two-year contract:
Arihara, 28, has a 3.74 ERA in six seasons with Japan’s Nippon Ham Fighters. He went 8-9 in 20 appearances for the team in 2020, with 106 strikeouts and a 3.46 ERA in 132? innings pitched.
ESPN.com
The contract is low, between $6 million and $7 million, so there is not much risk here. Arihara plays 2021 as a 28 year old, so he is still in his prime. He doesn’t seem to add much to the Rangers staff, however. Arihara’s strength lies in his low walk rate. He also allows a low number of hits compared to his K rate. Given those two positives, his 3.65 career ERA seems high. Someone who puts the ball in the strike zone without a lot of Ks might be someone who gets knocked around the majors. On top of that, he was not exactly an innings eater in Japan.
Fans in Japan
Nippon Professional Baseball expects fans in the stands this coming Friday, July 10.
Soccer and baseball officials said the first day with fans will be Friday. The maximum number will be 5,000 or 50% of the stadium capacity — whichever is smaller.
ESPN.com
The baseball season in Japan opened June 19.
Playing in Japan
Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) began play in Japan, expecting to play 120 of their usual 143 game season.
All games in Japan will be played without fans until at least July. The league has also revised the schedule to limit travel. There will be periodic testing and quarantines and, according to league guidelines, players will be banned from spitting.
Teams can dress 26 players and choose from 31 players on an active roster. Non-baseball staff will wear masks.
FoxSports.com
Most of the games in Japan are played indoors, which allows them to go deeper into the calendar. That might prevent them from filling seats, however, if a second wave SARS-CoV-2 hits.
More Progress in Taiwan
Taiwan opens up to more fans at games, with half the stadium seats available. There must be an empty seat between fans, and every other row has odd or even seating. The island nation is at nearly two months without a Covid-19 infection.
Update: I didn’t fully comprehend the quote in the article. There have been no domestic cases in that time. Thanks to James in the comments.
Japan on Hold?
A canceled practice game in Japan leads to reports of a covid-19 infection:
Japanese media reported that a Giants’ player was believed to have contacted COVID-19 but did not offer sources. Japanese television NHK said more than one player was believed to have tested positive and the Ashai newspaper said it was two.
FoxSports.com
The NPB is set to start their season on June 19.
A Thousand Fans
The China Professional Baseball League on Taiwan will open their stadiums to 1000 fans:
The China Professional Baseball League said up to 1,000 people would be permitted to enter ballparks from Friday after an agreement between the league and Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center.
Other baseball leagues around the world were still suspended last month when games began in Taiwan in empty stadiums. South Korea’s league commenced this week, also without fans in the stands.
FoxSports.com
This will help provide an example to MLB on how they might bring in fans. I still believe that 3,000 to 4,000 fans, staggered seats and rows, is very doable.
KBO Open
The Korean Baseball Organization started their championship season today, early in the morning in the United States:
After a weekslong delay because of the coronavirus pandemic, a hushed atmosphere allowed sounds, such as the ball hitting the catcher’s mitt and the bat hitting the ball for a single or double, to echo around the stadium.
There were faces in the stands at a game on Tuesday — pictures placed in the seating — because fans aren’t allowed into the venues for now.
As a result, it was easy to hear players cheering and shouting from the dugouts. It was a relief to fans watching from home in a country that is now attempting a slow return to pre-COVID-19 normalcy amid a waning caseload.
ESPN.com
ESPN is broadcasting six games a week from Korea, although the time difference makes it tough to watch on the east coast of the US. The west coast gets some of the game in prime time.
The KBO has this English language site where you can follow the season.
Baseball In Taiwan
Baseball is underway in Taiwan as the teams play to empty stadiums. If you are willing to wake up very early in the morning and pay a small fee, you can watch live baseball!
South Korea Gets Ready To Play
New cases of Covid-19 dropped in South Korea. Professional teams hope to start the season there in May.
“If the situation continues to improve from here and on, teams will start facing each other in preseason games beginning on April 21, and we should be able to get the regular season started in early May,” KBO secretary general Ryu Dae-hwan said after a meeting with club general managers in Seoul.
“Obviously, these scenarios will be feasible only if we have dramatically fewer confirmed cases in the coming days.”
ESPN.com
You can see the graphs of South Korea’s infection history here. New cases peaked on March 3, 2020, and over the last six days they have been under 100 cases a day. It’s not clear from the article if they will start with fans in the stands or not.
New cases in the US hit a local peak on April 4, 2020. If that indeed turns out to be the peak, and the US follows the South Korea fall off in cases, that would indicate a possible early June start to the MLB season.
Visits Moved Home
MLB made the decision to move some game scheduled for locals south of the border back to the home parks of the teams.
The San Diego Padres had been scheduled to play the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 18-19 in Mexico City, and the New York Mets were supposed to play the Miami Marlins on April 28-30 in San Juan. The games will be rescheduled for the home teams’ sites in Arizona and Miami, MLB said.
The games in Mexico City would have marked the first time MLB had played a regular-season game there.
ESPN.com
MLB continues to act like they can get in most of the season. It’s good they remain optimistic. No word on the London series yet.
Japan Postpones
Professional baseball in Japan postponed their season due to the coronavirus outbreak:
The season was to open on March 20. Japan’s professional league had been playing its preseason games without fans because of the virus.
“I personally believe that we have no choice but to postpone at this stage,” Japanese league commissioner Atsushi Saito said.
Baseball officials said they were unsure when the season might start, but mentioned some time in April.
ESPN.com
Japan had 511 cases of the virus so far, with seventeen deaths. Spring training in the US has been going on for two weeks now. So far there has not been a major outbreak in Florida or Arizona. Since the virus takes some time to manifest in illness, this week might be telling for the start of the North American season.
Virus Worries
The Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) season is in jeopardy due to the coronavirus.
The opening of the Japanese baseball season is in doubt because of the outbreak of the new virus, officials said Monday, as the nation’s baseball and soccer leagues tapped three medical experts as advisers.
Baseball commissioner Atsushi Saito said protecting fans, players and coaches was critical. Preseason games are being played in empty stadiums, with a hope the regular season can begin as scheduled on March 20.
But Saito acknowledged assessing whether the regular season can open — and with or without fans — is a delicate decision, noting the virus outbreak wasn’t expected to subside soon.
FoxSports.com
I could see keeping domed stadiums empty, where you need to recirculate the air. Of course, one of the problems with this virus is that it is contagious before symptoms appear, so even if sick people stay home, it can still spread.
Shogo Goes Red
The Reds sign Japanese star Shogo Akiyama to a three-year contract:
Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams Monday announced that free agent OF Shogo Akiyama has agreed to terms on a 3-year, $21-million contract through the 2022 season. The contract includes salaries of $6 million in 2020, $7 million in 2021 and $8 million in 2022.
“We scouted Shogo for several years in anticipation of his free agency,” Williams said. “We like his approach at the plate as well as his outfield defense, and we think he will complement our team very well.”
FoxSports.com
The money indicates the Reds expect him to be less than a one WAR player. In looking at his swing:
He reminds me of Ichiro, but with more power. He looks like a player who drags his bat through the strike zone, which gives him more of a chance to make contact. Think Derek Jeter and Tony Gwynn. If he does manage to make a lot of contact in MLB, he might approach 200 hits.
He is not young, already in this 30s, but given the money, he’s well worth the risk.
Rising Sun Rays
The Rays reach an agreement with Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, completing the posting process:
A left-handed-hitting corner outfielder, Tsutsugo batted .272 this year with 29 homers and 79 RBIs. He has a .285 average with 205 homers and 613 RBIs during 10 seasons with Yokohama, including 44 homers and 110 RBIs in 2016.
FoxSports.com
He posted excellent OBPs throughout his career. His seasonal age 24 season in 2016 was his best by far, suggesting he might have peaked early. I suspect his .284/.382/.525 career slash line will be more like .240/.340/.470 in the majors, will be just fine for the money, $12 million for two years.
Parra in Japan
Gerardo Parra signed with the Yomiuri Giants of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league. The press release does not mention his salary.
Parra’s three year fWAR average stands at 0.6 WAR. So a major league team would likely have paid him $5 million to $6 million for a season. If Japan tops that, maybe that league is finally doing what I’ve wanted them to do for years, start poaching North American free agents.
It’s also possible that Parra wants to play every day. Given the Japanese fans group cheering tradition, the Baby Shark song will be played everytime he goes to the plate, home or away.
I’m now waiting for one of the players who rejected the qualifying offer, but who is on the edge of that value, to head for Japan.
Despaigne to Korea
Odrisamer Despaigne moves to Asia:
Despaigne pitched poorly in his brief time in the majors his last two seasons. In 13 1/3 innings this year, he allowed seven walks and three home runs. He did perform well in the minors however. That should be valuable to a league like the KBO.
With the minors on the verge of contraction, MLB teams will no longer have a place for older players. With fewer slots for players, the minors will become about development. If someone doesn’t project to be able to contribute at the MLB level some day, they will be gone.
This should be a boon for professional baseball in the rest of the world. Minor league players in their primes who face an upward battle into the majors could opt for an overseas league to make decent money and still play the game. Leagues like the KBO could improve their quality of competition, make more money, and over time sign better players.
MLB would like to make the game global. Getting good, young players in overseas leagues would go a long way toward achieving that goal. Universal free agency would move the game faster in that direction, but I’ll take fewer jobs in the North American minors leading to more free agents signing overseas.
Nelson Broadside
I left with the Red Sox leading 4-2, and come home to find the Yankees up 12-4. The Red Sox come back and it’s 12-8 Yankees after eight innings. It appears that cannon fire in the stadium with 12 extra-base hit in the game.
Update: The Yankees win 12-8 to sweep the series. They are the only MLB team undefeated in Europe. 🙂
Boston RAF
Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez hit back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the first inning to give the Red Sox a 3-0 lead over the Yankees. That’s eight home runs in ten innings at London Stadium, five by the Red Sox. After a second out, Christian Vazquez homers the opposite way to give Boston a 4-0 lead.
The London Slugfest
The Yankees beat the Red Sox 17-13 in just under five hours. The fans certainly got their money’s worth in action as the teams combined for 37 hits, the most for a game in the majors this year. The final play was magical, as Didi Gregorius started a fantastic double play.
Tomorrow’s game is scheduled for a 10 AM EDT start. We’ll see if the pitchers do better.
Chavis Regal
Michael Chavis just hit his second home run of the game in London, a three-run shot in the top of the seventh. That cuts the Yankees lead over the Red Sox to 17-10. Chavis drove in six runs in the game. Yes, it’s a slugfest.
Spinning the Bases
DJ LeMahieu is playing more like MC Hammer as he pulls a double down the leftfield line for a bases loaded, bases clearing double to give the Yankees a 12-6 lead over the Red Sox in the top of the fourth inning. He’s 3 for 4 in the game already. The Red Sox outfield was playing him to the opposite field, so there was no one there when he pulled the ball.
Aaron Judge follows with a home run, and the Yankees lead 14-6.
English Country Gardner
Brett Gardner pulls a home run down the line with one on and two out in the top of the third inning. That breaks the tie, giving the Yankees an 8-6 lead over the Red Sox.
Everyone Hits
The Red Sox start the bottom of the first with a single by Mookie Betts and an RBI rocket double down the rightfield line by Rafael Devers. The Red Sox strike quickly to cut the Yankees lead to 6-1. It seems the batters are seeing the ball really well and hitting it hard.
Update: The Red Sox load the bases with none out, score two runs and make two outs, then Michael Chavis hits a game tying three-run homer well over the centerfield fence. The game is tied at six in the bottom of the first, and Masahiro Tanaka joins Rick Porcello on the bench after neither starter gets out of the first inning.
Update: It’s 6-6 at the end of one. I suspect the time change going east took it’s toll on the pitchers. It also looks like the artificial surface is really fast, so balls are shooting through the infield. Then again, batters are hitting the ball really hard.
Back for a Spot of Tea
I am home after being away on vacation the last week. Got here just in time to see the Yankees score the first MLB run in London as Luke Voit drives in D.J. LeMahieu, both of whom singled. Gary Sanchez walked to put LeMahieu in scoring position. Didi Gregorius follows with a double, and the Red Sox trail 3-0.
There is a ton of foul territory here, and it already cost the Red Sox on a dropped ball that the first baseman overran.
Update: The Yankees keep pouring it on as Aaron Hicks hits the first MLB home run in London, to give the Yankees a 6-0 lead. Rick Porcello leaves the game afte 1/3 of an inning.
Cuban Deal Nixed
The US government reversed the deal MLB worked with Cuba to bring players from that island to the United States.
“O.F.A.C. has determined that M.L.B.’s payments to the Cuban Baseball Federation are not authorized,” the letter said, “because a payment to the Cuban Baseball Federation is a payment to the Cuban government.”
Cuban sports entities, including its baseball federation and Olympic committee, have argued they are independent of the central government, but the Trump administration rejected that assessment.NYTimes.com
“The U.S. does not support actions that would institutionalize a system by which a Cuban government entity garnishes the wages of hard-working athletes who simply seek to live and compete in a free society,” said Garrett Marquis, a spokesman for the National Security Council. “The administration looks forward to working with M.L.B. to identify ways for Cuban players to have the individual freedom to benefit from their talents, and not as property of the Cuban state.”
That last sentence is very good, alluding to the slavery aspects of communism. Sometimes a bad deal that helps people out of their slavery does more good than harm. If MLB was willing to pay to get these players safely to a better life, they should get the chance to do so.
Changing the Culture
Japanese slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo writes and speaks out against abusive training tactics in Japanese amateur baseball:
Tsutsugo’s priorities off the field are focused on improving Japanese baseball at the grass-roots level. He’s written a book on the subject and spoke at length about it at Friday’s press conference.
Marathon pitching efforts, grueling practices and even corporal punishment are all too common in Japanese amateur baseball and Tsutsugo says it all needs to change to keep the sport growing in Japan. Baseball is still Japan’s most popular sport but recent numbers show high school participation is declining.
“I’ve seen cases where coaches scream at kids and even become violent,” Tsutsugo said. “Coaches and children need to respect each other in order for children to make progress.”FoxSports.com
Noting there were pitch counts when he represented Japan at the World Baseball Classic, Tsutsugo said he’d like to see rules making pitch counts mandatory at all levels of Japanese baseball.
I suspect that will be a tough sell, but it is good to see a star player taking on the situation.