Ken Rosenthal reports that free-agent right handed starting pitcher Brian Bannister has signed a one-year deal to play in Japan for the Tokyo Giants. Bannister came up with the Mets in 2006 and then was traded to the Kansas City Royals in the offseason for Ambiorix Burgos. In 2007 Bannister had a solid year going 12-9 with a 3.87 ERA and it looked like the Mets had made a bad trade. However, after that season he posted ERA's of 5.76, 4.73, and 6.34.
I liked Bannister and wasn't a fan of the trade at first and then I saw Burgos throw, and man could he throw hard. Unfortunately, Burgos was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend, killing two women with his car, and kidnapping and poisoning his ex-wife… we all make mistakes.
I hope Bannister can re-find himself in Japan and come back to America one day to pitch for the Mets.
Original Story:
http://www.metsparadise.com/2011/01/0...
