Uehara and Kuroda's Pitches

- ... who you think will be better in the major leagues?

Theoretically or realistically? If it's the former, I'd say Uehara is the better pitcher if only because he plays for a better-performing team (this season aside) and gets the chance to shine more.

However, if you are talking about those two actually going to MLB, then I have to say I can't image either of them leaving Japan. Uehara is one of Japan's premier pitchers, so no team is going to willingly let him go anywhere - especially the Giants, who don't even recognize one of the few legitimate ways of going to MLB: the posting system.

Having said that, it doesn't appear to me that Uehara has "outgrown" NPB; he doesn't have complete dominance over the leagues, so looking for new challenges might be a bit premature.

Kuroda is being linked - albeit very wishfully - with Hanshin for 2007 (aside: I'd love to see him in black pinstripes, but I do wish Hiroshima would stop selling off their good players). Maybe the Hiroshima papers are saying something different, but I haven't heard anything about him going to MLB.

Then again, this is all my uninformed opinion, so you'd do well to take it with a grain of salt.

The Kuroda situation will be an interesting one for sure. Numerous major league teams have scouted him this year, and have been interested in him. Both Hanshin and Yomiuri are interested in him. So wherever he goes he will get a big payday.

As for Uehara, Yomiuri has said repeatedly that it doesn't recognize the posting system. So the earliest you will see Uehara in the majors is after he acquires free agency, if he does indeed make the jump.

If you remember long ago, the Angels did indeed try to sign Uehara, though he turned them down to play for Yomiuri.

Uehara has said he is interested in playing in the majors before and has pushed Yomiuri to post him. Though, like I said above, Yomiuri doesn't recognize the posting system.

Hiroshima are not going to pay Kuroda what he's worth and so he will look elsewhere. He has indicated a preference for Hanshin up until now, but that is not signed, sealed, and delivered. He hasn't indicated any interest in the Major Leagues (unlike Uehara or Igawa) but could still eventually decide to head off to North America. Hanshin, though, seems to be the number one option at the moment (Kuroda is from Osaka) with another club a distant second.

As for the better pitcher this is Uehara even though he is beatable. Maybe a change of team will help him.

So is Matsuzaka the only top pitcher expected to come to North America this off season?

The rumors are that Igawa will be posted this year. Giants will almost certainly not let Uehara go. Kuroda might also move to America - staying in Japan is not fixed.

It looks like Igawa had good numbers this year. His strikeout numbers are good and his control is pretty good. Can someone give me a description of his repertoire?

Hot and cold.

Best response ever.

Especially because it's so accurate.

- So is Matsuzaka the only top pitcher expected to come to North America this off season?

Right now, Matsuzaka is expected to make the jump.

As for Kuroda, I've heard all kind of things, so I'm not sure of that situation. Numerous major league teams, the Hanshin Tigers, and Yomiuri Giants have mentioned they are interested in Kuroda.

If I were a betting man, I'd wager a significant amount of dosh that Matsuzaka won't leave Japan.

If I were a betting man, I'd wager a significant amount of dosh that Igawa will cut his hair if he leaves Japan.