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| Nippon Ham The
final game of the 2007 Japan Series was barely over before the media began
saying that DH Fernando Seguignol was history. Not reupping Seguignol is
pretty much a no brainer given how he had a bad year at the plate and also
got off to a very slow start in 2006 before rallying during the second
half. But geez, they could have waited at least another couple of days.
Pitcher Satoru Kanemura was a realist Thursday, saying that due to having a terrible season, he isn't going to leave via free agency. He wants to pitch in MLB, but that ain't gonna happen. Ever. The Fighters might bring Masato Yoshii in next season as a pitching coach. In addition, new manager Masataka Nashida will also have as his bench coach one Junichi Fukura, who was one of Ichiro's batting instructors at Orix and who claimed in an interview that he would defend Ichiro from those in the organization who wanted to change his batting style. Orix Kazuhiro Kiyohara will be offered no more than a one year contract next season, according to press reports. Rakuten Phenom Masahiro Tanaka turned 19 Thursday. Seibu Chief batting instructor Dave Okubo said Thursday that he will focus a great deal of energy on reviving the fortunes of infielder Takeya Nakamura. Nakamura created a sensation a couple of years ago when he hit a scad of homers in rather short order before tailing off in 2005 while playing different positions on the field. However, scouts found he was weak on the slider down and away and he has seemed like one confused hombre at the plate ever since. |