Uezono is traded

GoTigersRedSox beat me to it but this post is to talk about the trading of Uezono to Rakuten in exchange for Shingo Matsuzaki. Uezono has had problems with the Tigers coaching ever since his rookie year when he won the rookie of year in 2007. Tigers organisation couldn't (and it seems still can't) cope with Uezono and rather than admit their failings they blamed the pitcher. One hopes Uezono prospers under Hoshino who has a good eye for pitching talent. One also wonders about the management picking up Matsuzaki who's career has been, frankly, abysmal to date. At least Uezono had a good start, Matsuzaki didn't.
This move represents a big failure for Tigers management, Okada, Mayumi and Wada have all demonstrated their limited management ability in the handling of Uezono. This is also reflected in the coaching, Kubo and Yabu (who is not off to a bright start). Confidence is not a word to be used in respect of next season for the Tigers.