Imaoka's Problems

I agree - that's what I proposed a couple of weeks ago [related thread].

Something does need to be done soon. His defence is superb - much improved on last year, but his hitting seems to have really taken a holiday. When he does hit it is more by accident than by design. Facing the pitchers he did last night he should have at least hit once. However, what I did notice is that he seems to be having a lot of problems with outside pitches.

If he were to be moved, though, I would think a move to second batter might be good idea. Then he would only have to worry about one batter most of the time.

Actually you have to laugh. Tonight he drove in two runs and committed an error, making us all sound a little foolish.

Well, hopefully last night's game was a sign of things to come. Hopefully he can also get hot without everyone else cooling off. As much as I'm enjoying Hamanaka's hot streak, that, unfortunately, will probably come to an end eventually. I have a feeling that by the end of the year Imaoka and Hamanaka could end up with very similar numbers.

True - but is it the start of a renaissance or just another flash in the pan? He also left several runners on base and was replaced in the ninth by Kataoka.

Whatever happens with Imaoka, it was great to see the Tigers play a gritty series and take 2 out of 3 from the Giants. Hopefully this shows that they'll be able to stick with them despite the Giants' amazing start. As Christopher, I believe, noted before, Japanese baseball really needs what it hasn't had in quite some time - a Giants-Tigers pennant race!

- ...and was replaced in the ninth by Kataoka.

I thought Kataoka was brought in earlier than that. Anyway, I think the replacement of Imaoka had more to do with accommodating a double switch rather than his performance on the night. There were quite a few runners left on last night - not only by Imaoka.

You're right, he was brought in earlier. But very much a replacement for poor performance. However, tonight Imaoka was pretty good batting-wise, though Tigers did make an easy win difficult.

- But very much a replacement for poor performance.

Maybe, maybe not. Unless you can read Okada's mind you'll never know the reason. But there was a double switch, and Okada quite probably wanted the pitcher to go more than one inning. It was just convenient to take Imaoka out. (Especially if the opposing pitcher was a righty.) If Okada had a problem with Imaoka's batting he would have moved him or taken him out of the lineup the next game. The whole team hit pretty poorly in the clutch that game, and I don't believe Imaoka was being targeted specifically.

Again, it's impossible to know for sure, but that's what I believe Okada was doing.

The worry would not be with batting but with fielding. Admittedly, Okada's changes and use of pinch hitters are difficult to figure sometimes. However, Okada is prepared to let Imaoka have the time to work out his troubles but in the context of a single game seems ready to remove the non-performing player if he deems it necessary.

Incidently, Daily Sports printed a little table which showed the Tigers' position at the start of the inter-league season last year compared with this year. This year we were in a much better situation despite being third (for example last year was 15 wins to 14 losses, this year 17 wins to 12 losses), so maybe Tigers fans are worrying too much.

- ...but in the context of a single game seems ready to remove the non-performing player if he deems it necessary.

I wouldn't agree with that. He changes players according to the situation. In that game there were two double switches because he needed the pitchers to do a couple of innings each. Yano got taken out, and so did Imaoka. Fujimoto is often taken out for Sekimoto. The players have different strengths and weaknesses. Some do better against lefties, others are more likely to get a big hit to blow open the game.

It's not always about individual non-performance. Imaoka made an error that game, but so what? Okada doesn't punish players the way some other managers do. That's not, I think, what this substitution was about. Is Kataoka a better third baseman than Imaoka? If yes, then he could have been strengthening the defense. If not, then why switch on the basis of defense? I'm fairly clear in my mind that it was simply the double switch. (I don't need to explain what a "double switch" is, right?)

- ...maybe Tigers fans are worrying too much.

I'm never worried.

Yes, Okada is aware of changing players according to the situation. However, he is also very much aware of the defensive aspects of the game and is prepared to change players for that reason if needed. Defensively, Kataoka is a superior third baseman to Imaoka in every respect and this is why he was brought into the game for the final stages. Sekimoto is also used to replace Imaoka at third when Okada needs improved defense with good hitting form.

In a close game the final stages assume great importance and you will want to strengthen the defence. It's not about punishing players, but ensuring that you don't give up more than you need through errors. Imaoka's error was a pretty horrendous one, so it would be wise to avoid the possiblity of a repeat - the fact that this is not a punishment is shown by Imaoka starting every game.

- Kataoka is a superior third baseman to Imaoka in every respect and this is why he was brought into the game for the final stages.

All right, so now you're saying that it wasn't Imaoka's performance. I'll accept that. It was probably a prudent thing to do regardless of whether or not Imaoka had committed that "horrendous" error (considering that if the error was that horrendous, then it was very unlike Imaoka, and that there would be very little chance that he'd commit another one like it).

Or, as I said, maybe it was to accommodate the double switch. Maybe a combination of factors and gut feeling. What I'm trying to say is that Imaoka's error alone wouldn't have been enough to account for Okada's decision. Unless he was trying to punish him. A number of factors would have come into play, and maybe one factor was Kataoka's superior defense.

Well no, this isn't what I am saying. I said that what Okada will do is remove a non-performing player. This might be for defensive reasons, it might be for offensive reasons, it might be both. It depends what he judges is necessary at the time and in this respect he has become a lot more proactive.

Imaoka is interesting as a fielder, he can perform superbly but he also makes a lot of errors, often basic. In tight games these can be crucial - it was his error in this game that was a major contributing factor to the Giants drawing level. As the game entered the closing stages Okada didn't want to take any risks. There are only three fielders on the Tigers who ordinarily will not be replaced, Toritani, Akahoshi, and Kanemoto. Others are all replaced for various reasons. Punishment doesn't come into it - rather a minimizing of risks and potential risks and a need for things like better hitting or getting on base.

As you say, it can also be a combination of factors and you are probably right in saying that there were several considerations at play here.

- As the game entered the closing stages Okada didn't want to take any risks.

Except that it wasn't in the closing stages! Kataoka got at least two at-bats, which suggests he was there for his batting, or that he came in to accommodate the double switch. (Which of all the possible reasons is the most plausible.)

- ...but he also makes a lot of errors...

Well, no he doesn't actually. If you want to single out a Hanshin player who commits more errors than Imaoka, that would be Fujimoto:

2003: Fujimoto 15; Imaoka 7
2004: Fujimoto 12; Imaoka 7
2005: Fujimoto 11; Imaoka 14

But what about the Carp's Arai, who committed 23 errors last year? Or Yakult's Iwamura, or Hiroshima's LaRocca, who matched Imaoka on 14?

Other players who had a similar defensive record in 2005, which BTW was Imaoka's worst year defensively:

BayStars: Murata 15
Hawks: Batista 13
Fighters: Ogasawara 12
Giants: Nioka 12

Of course it depends on the position, SS and 3B tend to be more error prone, but I think you can see that Imaoka is probably not as bad as you're making out. He's no Bill Mazeroski of course, but you don't become team leader and play as many games as Imaoka has by being a klutz either. He's not brilliant. I would describe him as solid - the sort of person you'd want to have around in a tight situation. That's why he doesn't get replaced very often.

It was the double switch. Really. I know these things.

Kataoka had one at bat - he came in in the eighth and struck out. He then fielded the ninth and tenth but didn't get to the plate again.

Well, yes, Imaoka does make a lot of errors - just because others do so as well doesn't mean he doesn't. Bringing in the Carp though is a bit spurious - after all they are renowned for having very poor defence. Also, the most error prone positions tend to be SS and 2B where Fujimoto has played his career (though he does make a lot of errors as well).

Imaoka was a very good second baseman and a mediocre third baseman. But maybe Okada wants Fujimoto's athleticism at second. However it was not the double switch but beefing up the defense in the later stages - look at Kataoka's error count for Tigers at third base.

- Well, yes, Imaoka does make a lot of errors

I don't agree. Relatively speaking, he simply doesn't. But I know I'm not going to convince you, regardless of the evidence.

- ...it was not the double switch...

Well, again I disagree. Obviously your view from up there in Tokyo must be different, so let's just leave it at that.

- ... it was not the double switch.

You defintely know that, do you? Do you know what one is, buddy?

(YAWN) It's a no-brainer! It was a double switch to get more than one inning out of Fujikawa. Slotting Fujikawa in the 5 spot gave him the best chance of pitching two innings!

Dear Guests,

You could try giving a name; it would give your statements more credibility - until then neither of you have any.

But a question - did you even see the match? Did you see Imaoka's error? In a clutch situation no manager risks that kind of thing happening again.

- Incidently, Daily Sports printed a little table which showed the Tigers' position at the start of the inter-league season last year compared with this year. This year we were in a much better situation despite being third (for example last year was 15 wins to 14 losses, this year 17 wins to 12 losses), so maybe Tigers fans are worrying too much.

I thought this was the case. Last year it was during the inter-league games that they really got going. I think you are all worrying a little too much.

If the Tigers had a similar start to Yakult this year then you'd all probably be suicidal!

I think moving up would bring out some releif for him. Either first or second would be nice by moving down the Seki/Fuji-moto pair. Anyway, I think he would be one to watch in the inter-leagues as there will be more fast balls on the inside part the plate than the curve/cheeky one's by CL pitchers.

Kanemoto's struggling is totally unexpected, though. But let him get out of pain. He needs rest, but the streak doesn't seem to allow one.

With Sheets and Toritani playing consistenly, Fuji/Seki brings in the RBIs, so it should only can better from here!

- Kanemoto's struggling is totally unexpected, though. But let him get out of pain. He needs rest, but the streak doesn't seem to allow one.

I think they'll probably make Kanemoto the DH in the away inter-league games, so that should help.

-- Kanemoto's struggling is totally unexpected, ...

- I think they'll probably make Kanemoto the DH in the away inter-league games, so that should help.

I'm afraid his streak of playing FULL GAMES does not allow him to choose that.

Hope he recovers in time.

Mmmm, so the sports shimbun I read had it wrong then. I see he's still in left field for tonight's game against the Hawks, so obviously that's the rule.

- I'm afraid his streak of playing FULL GAMES does not allow him to choose that.

Does playing as the DH disqualify you as playing full innings in a game? Kind of like what happened to Matsui today - lost his streak because he got injured and taken out in the top of the first.

No, playing DH would not disqualify a player, it would only disqualify him if he couldn't finish the 1st inning as with Matsui.

SanSpo reports that Imaoka has indeed been dropped from the starting line-up and will be used mainly as a pinch hitter until his form improves.

Daily Sports reported that he will be dropped for re-training. However, he did start against Orix today.

Big surprise. I went to the game at Koshien on Thursday and was quite surprised to see Hiyama and Kataoka in the line-up in place of Imaoka and Hamanaka. That's not an optmistic upgrade.

Hiyama was in for Hamanaka who is also in a bit of a slump. I would have preferred to see Lin used in this position. Kataoka was in because they were playing his old team, Nippon Ham, and Okada wants to keep Sekimoto as a reserve at second base.

- Kataoka was in because they were playing his old team, Nippon Ham

Source please?

NHK commentary.

I watched it on CS, so I'll have to take your word for it.

OK, so it was just a commentator's assumption. I'm hoping Okada doesn't choose aging players who aren't hitting just because they played for another team 5 years ago. That would be baffling.

Agreed, it would be baffling. I rather think he wants defense, and if Imaoka isn't hitting, there's no point in having him in for his defence when Kataoka's is better. We can always hope that either player discovers his form again.

Absolutely, you'd think Imaoka's got to find his groove soon! Too much talent to be playing so poorly! He just needs a few big hits to get that all-important confidence back.

Well they're winning, and that's the main thing. It was good to see both Kanemoto and Hamanaka hitting well this weekend.

- It was good to see both Kanemoto and Hamanaka hitting well this weekend.

And Imaoka on Monday, even though he was shaking off the effects of a stomach bug. Did you see how he made Orix pay in the fifth for walking Kanemoto to get to him? A three-run homer, that's how. And he made some sharp plays in the field, too.

A game-tying HR last night to boot, so hopefully he's back, scared back into form!

And even though it was great to see Hiyama come through with a game winner, hopefully this won't put him back in the line-up too much. He doesn't deserve it.

I notice Imaoka seems to have been replaced by Kataoka for the last two games with the Marines. Have also seen Hiyama as DH at two, and Spencer as a lead-off DH in the last couple of games, any other insights?

Bizarre. Imaoka seems to be coming around and now Kataoka is getting starts. He looked pathetic tonight in a loss to the Marines. And he's still on 1 hit for the year?

Imaoka has a wrist injury and so is being covered by either Sekimoto or Kataoka. Sekimoto is needed to cover Fujimoto as well at second, and sometimes the only reserve for third that Okada-kantoku has is Kataoka. Defensively he is quite excellent, but as you note, he is not hitting at all.

In the second game against the Marines, Sekimoto started at third but in yesterday's game he was used at second. I also suspect that Okada-kantoku wants to make sure that Kataoka does get match practice.

According to the Daily Sports, Imaoka may be in for another trip to the Western League. In this case we will see more of Kataoka and Sekimoto at third.

Did he reinjure the wrist or is he just being sent back down to return to form? With Kataoka currently tearing it up at around .140, Imaoka is still the better choice.

Injured wrist as I understand.