Hanshin Looking For a Bat After All

» 18 May 2009 » In npb »

Despite giving struggling import Kevin Mench a vote of confidence last month, importing another bat is apparently still on the table for Hanshin. Says owner Shinya Sakai: “I think Mench has gotten better so he’s been called up. I haven’t gotten a request to acquire someone from (manager Akinobu) Mayumi, but money is not a problem”.

The linked report suggests that Hanshin is looking at retreads Tyrone Woods, Craig Brazell, and Julio Zuleta. Woods seems like the best choice among that group, though I suspect they’ll keep looking.

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  1. Patrick
    Steve
    18/05/2009 at 9:09 am Permalink

    I’m surprised Woods still doesn’t have a job. Sure he’s old and expensive, but he was still damn productive last year.

  2. Patrick
    bloodsmurf
    18/05/2009 at 12:22 pm Permalink

    Seems like my early season Tigers get Woods! campaign is progressing. As far as I know, he’s not active in anything right now so let’s hope he’s not enjoying this early retirement too much

  3. Patrick
    Z
    18/05/2009 at 8:17 pm Permalink

    Zuleta? Zuleta? Are you kidding me?

  4. Patrick
    Matt
    18/05/2009 at 9:24 pm Permalink

    Given their track record with overseas players as of late, a Julio Zuleta siging makes perfect sense for the Tigers.

  5. Patrick
    Patrick
    18/05/2009 at 9:41 pm Permalink

    I was wondering what happened to Zuleta — I figured he wound up in the Mexican League. Turns out I was right, he’s with the Broncos de Reynosa, where’s playing with former Hanshin Tiger Derrick White and US college standout Marshall McDougal: http://www.broncosreynosa.com/equipo.htm

  6. Patrick
    bloodsmurf
    19/05/2009 at 4:01 am Permalink

    To follow up on a comment on an earlier post, Kanemoto finally decided to take a swing at a first pitch, which rewarded him with a hit against Sugiuchi. I certainly don’t remember it happening this season so i’m still not sure how long that weird streak was

    In other related news, Mench still isn’t playing.

    Hawks fans must be sad