Coming to America in 2003?

- When do we hear about who officially wants to come to the US to play in 2003?

Very good question. The short answer is, some time after November 13.

- Is there an official process players in Japan need to go through?

Long long answer is:

October 31 through November 11: Eligable players turn in a declaration that they wish to pursue being a free agent to their respective ball clubs.

November 12: The teams pass on the declarations to the Commissioner's Office.

November 13: The ban on talking to other ball clubs (domestic and foreign) is lifted and negotiations may begin.

All along, though, the players' current teams are working hard to convince their players not to declare.

I'll try to tack on a list of all qualifiers later.

Westbaystars:

Thanks for the info ... if you get a chance please post or send me via email those that are good posting possibilities .... thank you very much in advance.

Kintetsu Buffaloes' closer Akinori Otsuka has asked to be posted some time this month since he wants to go to the U.S. in December to start negotiations. Kintetsu will accomodate the posting, but haven't said if they will agree to the time frame.

Hiroshi Takamura, a Kintetsu starter, has wisely decided to stay with the team.

Yokohama closer Takashi Saito says he will indeed take offers from MLB teams, and Boston seems the most interested, as are St. Louis, Texas, and L.A.

Kazuo Matsui is still undecided.

Kimiyasu Kudoh made some noises about going over, but then said he would stay.

Akinori Iwamura has reportedly told Yakult that he wants to be posted by 2005.

There was some interest by the Padres in both Daisuke Miura and Hiroshi Shibakusa, but both of them are going to stay.

Westbaystars:

Any chance you could post those qualifiers, and those that have expressed interest in leaving for MLB in the US?

Thanks!

Free agents were posted here. You'll have to wait until the 13th to know who filed.

I think that what you want to read, though, is Albright-san's list of possible MLB candidates for this off season.

For those of you interest in MLB rumors. I go here [prosportsdaily.com].

It's a culmination of sports pages around the US. There are quite a few articles on Hideki Matsui there already. However, they're mostly coming from the NYC area.

Some articles need you to register to read, but nothing you need to pay for.

Now that November 12 has come and gone, is there an official list as to who has declared free agency officially?

Ask and you shall receive. I've posted them here.

I was reading on the mlb.com website that the San Francisco Giants are interested in 3b Norihiro Nakamura. I'd really like to see Nakamura play for the Giants, because the local network really covers the Giants here. I'd be interested to see if his power can translate over to MLB.

That's complete BULL ****. The Mets are getting him, trust me. The Giants have no interest. They have a great 3rd baseman already. The Mets are dropping their 3rd baseman Edgardo Alfonzo! So there's an open spot for him!

Considering that Nori has set December 17 as his deadline for a decision, and that the SF Giants haven't made him an offer, I'd say that there's very little chance that they ever will.

Very true, but the Mets have made him an offer and, if a Hochi Shimbun report is correct, the Cubs (Yippie!) might be interested too.

One web site - msg.com - I lost the link, but it was there and I will post soon as I can - is saying that Nakamura has signed with NY. Radio in NY said Mets deny the report. Where there is smoke, is there fire?