Rhodes Released
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Comments
Re: Rhodes Released
[ Author: Guest: Suraj | Posted: Nov 11, 2003 6:33 PM
]
The funny thing about the Giants is they don't ever learn from their mistakes. I don't wish injuries on any of the guys Westbay-san listed, but a 35 year old outfielder on gimpy knees hardly deserves a 3-year guaranteed contract.
One would think after seeing the diminished skills of Etoh and Kiyohara (and Hirosawa before them), they would think twice about signing Rhodes to a long-term deal. But hey, they're the Giants, and while half of their strategy is to stockpile power hitters (past their primes), the other half of their strategy is to prevent other teams from getting them.
One would think after seeing the diminished skills of Etoh and Kiyohara (and Hirosawa before them), they would think twice about signing Rhodes to a long-term deal. But hey, they're the Giants, and while half of their strategy is to stockpile power hitters (past their primes), the other half of their strategy is to prevent other teams from getting them.
Re: Rhodes Released
[ Author: Yakulto | Posted: Nov 12, 2003 8:51 AM
| TYS Fan
]
Today's (November 12, 2003) Japan Times has a full follow-up (in English). [Link]
Maybe the Giants won't get their man, for a change. Hopefully Kintetsu will stump up with a multi-year deal, but from their actions so far, it looks unlikely.
Maybe the Giants won't get their man, for a change. Hopefully Kintetsu will stump up with a multi-year deal, but from their actions so far, it looks unlikely.
Re: Rhodes Released
[ Author: Guest | Posted: Nov 12, 2003 10:45 AM
]
I don't understand why the Buffaloes won't give Rhodes a multi-year contract. He has been playing regularly for the last 8 years, and he doesn't have any sign of injury. Citing the reason that the Buffaloes have never given multi-year contracts to gaijin is not good enough. Rhodes' agent should counter and say that, well, no other Buffalo has tied the Japan record for 55 home runs either. There's a first-time for everything, and the Buffaloes' should respect the player that has kept them in contention for the last 3 years (along with Nakamura).
Re: Rhodes Released
[ Author: Guest | Posted: Nov 13, 2003 3:09 AM
]
Rhodes has been speaking to the media in Houston, Texas where he lives, and he's giving the impression that he really wants to stay a Buffaloe, but he wants a multi-year contract that assures him that he will end his career as an active player with Kintetsu.
Kintetsu would make a big mistake if they let him go. I think the team has not handled this situation very well, while Rhodes has acted with decency and respect for the organization, his teammates, and the Osaka fans.
Kintetsu would make a big mistake if they let him go. I think the team has not handled this situation very well, while Rhodes has acted with decency and respect for the organization, his teammates, and the Osaka fans.
Re: Rhodes Released
[ Author: Guest: Suraj | Posted: Nov 13, 2003 3:43 PM
]
- I think the team has not handled this situation very well, while Rhodes has acted with decency and respect for the organization, his teammates, and the Osaka fans.
It's possible that the above is true, but no one really knows what Rhodes' agent said to the Buffaloes. It's pretty obvious from Rhodes' published comments that he was not privy to their conversation. His agent may have pushed a little too hard for the Buffaloes' liking.
It's possible that the above is true, but no one really knows what Rhodes' agent said to the Buffaloes. It's pretty obvious from Rhodes' published comments that he was not privy to their conversation. His agent may have pushed a little too hard for the Buffaloes' liking.
Re: Rhodes Released
[ Author: Guest: George Steinbrennernot | Posted: Dec 1, 2003 12:06 PM
]
Pretty shabby treatment for a Home Run King who gave Kintetsu eight great years. Why is it that gaijin don't get multi-year deals, but Japanese get them frequently? Are these owners afraid the lying, cheating foreigner (or so says the Kanagawa governor of all foreigners) is going to slip out of the country with a bat and a few balls?
People wonder why MLB players other than has-beens or no-bodies aren't clamoring to join the NPB? Try starting with a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Hmmm, but Bobby V. got a multi-year deal didn't he? Anyway, Tuffy can come home anytime and DH for an AL team.
People wonder why MLB players other than has-beens or no-bodies aren't clamoring to join the NPB? Try starting with a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Hmmm, but Bobby V. got a multi-year deal didn't he? Anyway, Tuffy can come home anytime and DH for an AL team.
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Kintetsu offered Rhodes a 1-year 5-oku (500,000,000) yen deal, plus incentives, but Rhodes' agent turned it down. He said that it must be a multi-year deal. Kintetsu would not cross that line, even for a lower amount. For the past couple of weeks, Kintetsu's owner has been waiting for a reply from Rhodes himself to their offer, but never got one. With that, Kintetsu has given up negotiating and has removed Rhodes from their protected player list. That will make Rhodes free to go anywhere he likes after November 30 (to the best of my understanding).
Naturally, the Giants are the only team who have voiced that they're interested in him. And now that Kintetsu has officially released Rhodes, it has been revealed that they're prepared to offer Rhodes a 3-year, 15-oku yen total (5-oku per year) deal, fixed (i.e. no incentives). And with it, talks of getting K. Matsui have cooled, a representative stating that Matsui will most likely either stay with Seibu or go to the Majors.
The addition of Rhodes to the Giants' lineup will be the second #4 hitter aquired this off season. Other aquired #4 batters include:
Kokubo (2003-4 from Daiei)
Does anybody see a trend here? Watanabe collects #4 batters like some people collect cars.Petagine (2003 from Yakult)
Etoh (2000 from Hiroshima)
Kiyohara (1997 from Seibu)
Meanwhile, Rhodes first heard of all of this when his buddy Nori (Nakamura Norihiro) called him up international to ask if it was true that he'd retired from the team. Rhodes said that it was news to him and commented that he needed to get more details from his agent as to what was going on.
Kintetsu's Nagai-club president said that he believes that Rhodes will go to the Central League and wishes him the best at winning the Home Run Crown there.