Kamado Report: Akinori Otsuka ready to return

December 28, 7:08 PMAsian-American Sports ExaminerMichael Street

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Aki's cheerful exuberance is a welcome Japanese import.
(Chris O'Meara, AP)

Thanks to Patrick over at NPB Tracker for translating a Daily Yomiuri article about Akinori Otsuka, which says that the former Rangers closer is planning to throw for all 30 teams next month in Arizona, hoping to find a spot for the 2009 season.

As I mentioned in an earlier Kamado Report, Otsuka has been one of the success stories as a major-league reliever, with impressive career stats in MLB: 2.44 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 217 Ks and 80 BBs in 232 IP. He notched 32 saves as the Rangers' closer in 2006, to go with a 2.11 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP, both excellent statistical measures.

Then he went down in 2007 with forearm and elbow problems, ultimately electing to get surgery on his right elbow in January. He has spent the time since rehabilitating, and became a free agent after the Rangers non-tendered him a month before his surgery, when they couldn't come to terms on a contract extension that would accomodate his injury risk.

This means Otsuka could land anywhere, though the Padres are considered leading contenders by most sites. NPB Tracker reported a few weeks ago that Otsuka blogged about how much he liked the Mariners' new skipper Don Wakamatsu, making Seattle another possible destination. Both teams need closers, since the Padres' Trevor Hoffman is one of several older free agents weighing retirement against playing a few more years, and the Mariners traded their All-Star closer J.J. Putz to the Mets earlier this month.

Wherever he ends up, Otsuka will certainly get a short-term contract for slightly less than market value, both of them a recognition of his injury risk and advanced age of 37. This, in turn, points to one of the problems with free-agent pitching signings from Japan: they are older (NPB, Japan's major leagues, grants free agency after nine seasons) and have many innings under their belts. If more of them end up hurt like Otsuka, MLB teams will steer clear of them—or put more pressure on younger Japanese prospects like Junichi Tazawa, whose development will be controlled by the Red Sox.

Japanese teams put a premium on conditioning, but they also have a different attitude towards workloads, and don't limit their pitchers' innings, nor do they require pitchers to have rest days, as MLB teams do. Otsuka was never a starter for the Kintetsu Buffaloes and Chunichi Dragons, the two NPB teams he played for, but it's hard (if not impossible) to know what his workouts were like between appearances. Though it's sometimes debated whether we limit pitchers' innings too much in modern baseball, the difference between older Japanese and American players may tell this tale, once we're able to compare them better.

Regardless, it will be good to see Otsuka on the mound again somewhere, if he can complete his comeback and sign a contract. He was an outstanding pitcher, and a good guy who's avoided any off-field issues and conducts himself in the honorable and respectful way that is typical in Japanese baseball—and that may be the best influence that Eastern imports can have on our game. 

Assuming he doesn't completely embarrass himself in his exhibition next month, he should get a training camp invite from a team, and let's all hope he sticks. To me, there would be nothing better than a pitcher who doesn't try to show up the batter, who doesn't overreact to a strikeout, and who acts like he expects to mow down batters like a riding mower and close out games.

Aki's exuberant without being nasty, excited without trying to show up other players; he smiles and pumps his fist when celebrating a save, but doesn't pound his chest, point to the sky, or otherwise draw too much attention to himself.

Humility: what a refreshing change.