Comments on: A’s sign Hiroyuki Nakajima for two years, $6.5 million

By: tuberippin

tuberippin — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 01:50:03 +0000

The last three shortstops to come from the NPB to the MLB were Kazuo Matsui, Tsuyoshi Nishioka, and Munenori Kawasaki.

Josh Donaldson: 90 wRC+, 1.8 WAR in 2012

Adam Rosales: 75 wRC+, 0.1 WAR in 48 games in 2012

Cliff Pennington: 65 wRC+, 1.4 WAR in 2012

Nishioka: 46 wRC+, -1.4 WAR in 2011, cut 3 games into his 2012 season

KazMat: one season where his wRC+ was >100 (2008 Astros), 1 season of 2.0 WAR outside of Coors Field; this is the high-water mark for Japanese infield imports

M. Kawasaki: 35 wRC+, -0.3 WAR, cut 61 games into the 2012 season

The expectations may not be very high, but the production has historically been even lower than the expectations. That said, Nakajima is projected to have his hitting skills translate to the MLB, to the tune of a wRC+ between 100 and 110, which would make him arguably the best-hitting Japanese infielder to play in the MLB.

By: redassranch

redassranch — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:00:13 +0000

The A’s mid-infielders batted around .200 last season, expectations are not very high.

By: tuberippin

tuberippin — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 21:56:06 +0000

Historically, the batting skills of Japanese infielders does not translate to the MLB. Maybe Nakajima can buck that trend, but I’m highly skeptical. Can’t blame the A’s for taking the dive considering the SS market and the fact that Stephen Drew managed to wring almost $10,000,000 from Boston, however.

By: redassranch

redassranch — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:50:06 +0000

I like Sizemore at 2B, if he is healthy. Not flashy in the field, but should be solid and has some pop in the bat.

By: calcynic

calcynic — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:14:05 +0000

I caught 20 games at the Coliseum last year and they won 15 of them. Amazing! If this year is half the fun last year was, were in for a treat.
I don’t know if Weeks is playing winter ball, but he’s gotta do something to stay in the show. I think we got the best team in the West and I’m looking forward to Nakajima at SS.

By: crankyfrankie

crankyfrankie — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 02:43:19 +0000

Happy to see the A’s building something great there. With all the nonsense from their neighbor and the commish the breaks are going their way.

By: APBA Guy

APBA Guy — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:10:39 +0000

You’re right about the movement in the outfield, as well as around the infield. Donaldson has to play like he did after his 2nd call-up to keep Sizemore from taking 3rd. Likewise Weeks will be on a short leash at 2B.

The real keys are:

How well will the pitching hold up? The kid pitchers ran up heavy workloads on the way to the division championship. Will they have recovered for 2013? Also, Bartolo, what will he deliver sans juice?

Can the offense maintain? Brandon Moss 2012 was.953 OPS, regression is a given. But how far? And who will step up from the remaining players? Can Reddick maintain his power and improve his OBP? How much more can Cespedes improve? Can any of the infielders contribute offensively?

If the team can play with as much charisma as they did last year (I’m telling you, it was fun being in the stadium to watch these guys) they can win and draw a decent crowd. Maybe they don’t win the the Division again, but maybe they do. As long as it’s fun being a fan of the A’s again!