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jafabian said:
Sorry, I should have posted a link, but the Seattle Post Intelligencer reported otherwise, and in fact really pump him up as a viable candidate. The fact that he's a lefty makes him a good candidate to replace Jaime Moyer.



Well, I've seen him pitch a few times, and you can too, thanks to the power of youtube. He throws mainly 140-142 kph(87-88 mph), but with a terrific changeup and good curve. He might throw a little harder in the big leagues, since pitching philosophies are different. Japanese league pitchers are left out there longer, so they usually try to pace themselves.

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The Seattle P-I is also reporting that the M's are talking with Tomo Ohka and have an interest in Jason Schmidt and Barry Zito. All three the proverbial reclamation project.



I don't think Schmidt or Zito are really reclamation projects...they both aren't as good as they were two years ago, and they probably aren't to get any better, but they have valuable, in the right environment. I, personally, think Zito is overrated, but I admit my disinterest in him comes mainly from the fact that the Rangers media and fans have been talking about how great he is and how much of a fool Tom Hicks would be not to go after him. Zito is not a good fit in Texas, but he'd probably do alright in Seattle. Still the west coast, a spacious ballpark where fly-balls die young, and quite the music scene to try to launch his career(a joke).

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I question if the M's will offer them 1 year deals with an option, like they did with Bret Boone in 2001. I think that might be the best that Zito could get.



Like him or not, Zito is going to get a max deal, probably $10 million a year plus. He's the highest profile pitcher available, and will be grossly overpaid, I'm sure.

MisterJLA is RACKing awesome.