Discussion: Akinori Iwamura
By Tim Dierkes [October 26 at 8:51am CST]
Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura faces a $4.85MM club option for 2010 with a $550K buyout, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. Topkin notes that under the terms of his contract, Iwamura will become a free agent if the Rays decline the option (despite not having six years of service time).

A healthy Iwamura should easily be worth that amount; he was in 2007 and 2008. However, he was limited to 260 plate appearances this year due to a knee injury. What's more, the Rays are tight on payroll and have other strong options at second base.

Topkin noted that Iwamura would discuss renegotiating the option at a lower price, because he loves the Tampa area. That might be hard to resist. But if the Rays prefer to move on, they could attempt to exercise the option and then trade Iwamura. According to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker, Japanese newspaper Sanspo is already speculating on the Dodgers as a fit.

Iwamura still appears capable of a .350 OBP and acceptable defense at second base (he also played third base in '07). If he reaches free agency or becomes available in trade, which teams make sense? Aside from the Dodgers, the White Sox, Indians, Tigers, Twins, and Diamondbacks could consider him.

_________________
“Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind.” ~ Dr. Suess


Nice Guys Finish Last

Thank you,and have a nice day !

I think Getz is fine at second and this team needs some guys who are going to be earning at the bottom end of the pay scale.

I think the infield next year is set: Konerko/Getz/Alexi/Beckham, but there was an interesting rumor floating around one of the other boards (allegedly started by Buster Olney) about the Red Sox being very interested in Alexi. Part of the deal (multiple players on both sides) was Ellsbury.

Can't see it happening, but I'd love to see Beckham move to SS, along with picking up a true leadoff/cf at the bottom end of the pay scale. Freeing up some cash in the process for Beltre or DeRosa. (Don't need Figgins as much if you get Ellsbury, and Figgins is going to break the bank).

When Akinori Iwamura went down with a knee injury this past season, the Drew Carey-looking Joe Maddon found an All-Star replacement in Ben Zobrist, who had quite a good season and spent the majority of the time at second base for the Rays until Iwamura returned at the end. That being said, the White Sox have their second baseman, and I'll keep saying it until I'm blue in the face. Chris Getz will be the full-time second baseman in 2010, and Ozzie will stop the platoon with him & Jayson Nix like he did last year.

Aren't sharks usually blue in the face?

Pass - the White Sox aren't going to spend money at 2B, Getz and Nix will play the position well enough and at a cheap price.