This move didn't really come as a surprise. Egusa was ineffective in 2010 and clearly couldn't get on with Johjima. If anyone would go it would be Egusa and not the star catcher. However, trading him to Seibu for Kurose - an infielder who hasn't really shone in his four years doesn't strike one as the brightest management decision. In fact the whole handling of this issue has been inept from start to finish. Egusa was a talented and unconventional left handed pitcher. Some kind of modus vivendi needed to be worked out between him and Johjima but never was. None of the coaching team comes out of this business with any credit at all. Judging by the propensity that Mayumi and his team have to screw up we cannot expect anything from Kurose (who will wear 66). Tigers have lost a fine pitcher with runners in position and picked up another lightweight batter.