Boo Hiatuses

Iono how many times I've fallen in love with Utada Hikaru (many), and with her impending hiatus I wonder how many more times I will, but this right here is definitely one of those times.

IWAKUMA

WHAAAT?! That is quite unexpected. Honestly, I really don't like it. I mean, the fact that the A's will probably sign a high profile Japanese ball player is really exciting, I'm kind of ecstatic. But I don't like Iwakuma much as a MLB pitcher. Injuries have robbed him of velocity and his strikeout rates in NPB are far from impressive. His walk rates are great, but shit so were Daisuke's before he came over, an Daisuke has the stuff to get away with a little wildness, Iwakuma it doesn't appear to have that kind of leeway. Mostly I'm worried about how he adjusts to the MLB ball, cause it seems like everyone commin from NPB ditches their splitter when they come over, an as a low velocity groundball guy, I'm gettin the feeling the split is prbly a important part of Iwakuma's arsenal.

What I really want to know is how K/uBB rates translate from NPB to MLB. Obviously MLB has better hitters, but it does seem like a lot of Japanese players that come over have above average contact abilities, of course, that could just be because they are the better overall hitters in Japan. It'd be really cool if Iwakuma could be like our very own Hiroku Kuroda or somthin, but I doubt that'll happen. What is a reasonable comparable hope then? I'm going with Carl Pavano. I'm hopin for a Japanese Pavano. Someone who won't put runners on an will keep the ball on the ground/in the park. Hopefully with a few more strikeouts sprinkled in too. Thing about the A's though, they do their homework, so they must see a lot they really like in Iwakuma to spend this kind of money on him. Plus, lookin at the other free agent starter options, may as well gamble on Iwakuma. Be interesting to see what other moves are made now, we do have quite a bit of starting pitching.

Giants

First an foremost, Tim Lincecum is fucking awesome. Holy crap that was fun. Started the postseason unbelievably good, an ended it in dominant fashion. Was kind of miffed he didn't get MVP, but it was kind of amusing that a shitty player like renteria got it. I think my favorite part of the whole playoff run though, aside from watching Timmy destroy his foes, was reading McCovey Chronicles. That Grant is some kinda strange form of genius. It was a fun ride, an it's nice to finally see a championship for the Bay Area. Still, couldn't help but be a small bit jealous. Even though I've come to adopt the Giants as my #2 team, my NL team if you will, I really can't get excited about them the way I do about the A's. But it gives hope. Our rotation is comparable. No, Anderson isn't Lincecum, but he has a shot at being close to it, an I like Braden/Gio/Cahill as comparable in quality to Cain/Sanchez/MadBum. All we need now is some fluke years from offensive players. Also, if we could find a Buster Posey somewhere thatd be really awesome.