Aki has a $4.85m option (with a $250k buyout) for next season that must be exercised or declined within a day after the conclusion of the World Series. The idea is that the Ray’s would pick up the option and then move Iwamura in a sign-and-trade style deal. The speculation is that the likely destination for Iwamura would be the Dodgers, who will have an opening at second base with Orlando Hudson not returning. Sanspo asked Ned Colletti about Iwamura, and he gave a boilerplate “I can’t talk about players from other teams” non-comment.
Patrick » 19 January 2009 » In mlb, npb » Comments Off on Iguchi Announcement Soon
Update, Jan 19 8:11 am: According to 47news, Iguchi to Lotte is a done deal, and will be announced on the 20th. Other sources say the deal is close but not done.
I didn’t post this when it was new, but it’s been widely reported that Tadahito Iguchi will decide his destination on the 20th, which is either tomorrow or later today depending on which timezone you happen to be in.
Bobby Valentine’s Chiba Lotte Marines very publicly made Iguchi a three-year offer, and cleared out second base for him by releasing the incumbent Jose Ortiz. Despite this, Iguchi hasn’t given up on an MLB contract, but given that the market for 2nd basemen (Orlando Hudson) has been so weak, his best financial offer is likely to be in Japan.