March 20th in 2008 Season, Matthias, Transactions by Matthias Koster .

Masahide Kobayashi Cleveland Indians

Masahide Kobayashi Cleveland Indians

Masahide Kobayashi Cleveland Indians

Overlooked in the off-season, the signing of Kobayshi should help the Indians stay in the race with the Tigers for the AL Central Title.

Masahide Kobayashi (33) was signed by the Cleveland Indians for two years at $6.25 million. As is typically the case with Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro, the Indians also worked in an option for a third year at $3.25 million with a low $250,000 buyout if the option is not exercised. Kobayashi was a true FA due to his tenor in Japan, which equates to the Indians not having to pay a posting fee. By signing Kobayashi from the Japanese league as opposed to an MLB team the Indians do not have to give up a Type A, B, etc draft pick. With the level of talent in the past three drafts, this is a large plus vs signing an MLB FA.

Kobayashi will work in the middle innings (6th, 7th) but can even be called upon to set-up and even close if Borowski blows. One of Japan’s most consistent closers, he’s notched over 20 saves in seven consecutive seasons. Along with Betancourt (1.47 ERA), Perez (1.78), & Lewis (2.15) the Indians should be able to “shorten games” to the sixth inning in the same fashion that the Seattle Mariners did in the early parts of the decade.

masahide_kobayashi_japan_stats.png

According to reports, Masahide brings some late moving heat at 90 – 94. His best offering is a slider, which has power slider movement and tilt. Around the 30 second and on mark Kobayashi breaks out the slider. At least in this video the slider appears like an out pitch.

All in all a great signing by the Indians.

Masahide Kobayashi Mechanics



Matthias Koster

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2 Comments

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  • Early
    March 20, 2008

    Good signing by the Indians. I am still not convinced by Japanese players being great successes in ML. Apart from Ichiro and to some extent Matsui and Nomo there has been no real consistent all-star or MVP candidate. This is unlike in hockey when the Iron Curtain came down and Czech and Russian players were able to dominate. Perhaps the advanced age of Japanese stars (30+) coming to America is more of an icing on the cake to a stellar career in the Japanese league. I think it is about time for MLB to assign a council to determine the strength of Japanese ball throughout the years.

    Reply
  • Callum
    March 20, 2008

    The slider at the 1:00 is much more impressive! 1:35 is nasty too.

    Reply

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