Speaking of new teams, I don't know which cities would qualify. But I am sure they can put together a commitee that could look into that matter. At first glance what is wrong with Livedoor and Shidax (in Shizuoka)?
[S]alary caps really will most serve to help the major leagues skim off the top NPB talent, as NPB teams will be hard pressed to pay those players close to the salaries they could command in MLB if the cap is low enough to solve the immediate economic issue[.]
The bottom line is that any salary cap with enough bite to resolve current economic troubles is apt to cause other problems - so a salary cap really shouldn't be looked at as a primary option to resolve the issues facing NPB.
Jim Albright
This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
It is my sincere hope that once you learn a bit about what we're about here that you will join the community of contributors.
Michael Westbay
(aka westbaystars)
Founder
Meanwhile, the owners met and a smiling Koizumi-owner (Orix) emerged to say that they're going through with the merger anyway. If I'm reading this correctly, only Hiroshima didn't agree, but abstained rather than opposed. A second merger is to be announced on Wednesday (September 8) at the owners' meeting.
Also decided upon was that the new merged team(s) will not get any gyaku-shimei players in the fall draft, and will start the draft in the fourth round. The draft will be held on November 17.
Finally, the owners said that they may start talks with the players on the 9th or 10th in hopes of avoiding a strike.