There have been scores of ballplayers who have played in both the Major Leagues and in Japan.And while some have flourished...many have flopped.Well, ladies and gentlemen, the "Wily Mo Show" is headed to Japan.That's right, Wily Mo Pena is planning on doing something not even Manny Ramirez could do...land a gig playing overseas for the Softbank Hawks.This is a good gig for the slugger seeing how he's having a rough time keeping a job here in the States.So why Japan? Short answer...money.According to reports, Softbank is looking to shell out close to 400 million Yen (roughly $5.15 million) plus incentives for two years for the 29-year-old. Last season, Pena tore up the Minors hitting .358 with 25 home runs in 332 plate appearances with Triple-A Reno and Tacoma. In limited duty in the bigs (120 plate appearances), dude hit just .204 with seven home runs splitting time between both the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks
Via NESN.com
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November 27, 2011
Former Red Sox slugger Wily Mo Pena could be taking his amazing power (and suspect plate discipline) to Japan. Pena is close to signing a two-year deal with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of Japan that would give him a seven-figure annual salary, according to WEEI.com. The deal is reportedly expected to give Pena a significant role with the reigning Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB...
Via NorthWest Sports Beat
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November 28, 2011
Seattle Mariners blogger Danny Ferguson weighs in on the MLB trade today between Seattle and Tampa Bay. That sent Josh Lueke to the Rays, and the M's received catcher John Jaso. Danny lists five things that Jaso will bring to Seattle, and says the trade is a good thing if the future player in the deal is Chone Figgins.
Via AP on Fox
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November 27, 2011
The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired right-hander Josh Lueke and a player to be named or cash from the Seattle Mariners for catcher John Jaso.
The trade was announced on Sunday.
Lueke made the Mariners opening-day roster last season, but was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma in April after allowing 12 runs over 6 1-3 innings in eight appearances. He rejoined the Mariners in July and in 25...
Via seattlemariners.com
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November 29, 2011
The Mariners would like to dive into the Prince Fielder sweepstakes, but with an already stretched budget, filling the club's needs will require general manager Jack Zduriencik to continue his bold deal-making.
Via seattlemariners.com
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November 28, 2011
Vinnie Catricala has been named the Mariners' Minor League Player of the Year and right-hander Taijuan Walker earned Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Via U.S.S. Mariner
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November 27, 2011
The M’s have made their first move of the off-season, and my initial reaction is that I love this one. They’ve traded RHP Josh Lueke and a PTBNL (or cash, indicating that it’s probably not a very important secondary player) to the Tampa Bay Rays for C John Jaso. Lueke you know about, so here’s the lowdown on Jaso.
He’s a 28-year-old left-handed catcher...
Via Mariners Minors
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November 27, 2011
Arizona Fall League (FINAL):
RF Chih-Hsien Chiang: 20 G, 76 AB, 9 R, 20 H, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 6 RBI, SB, 15/9 K/BB, .263/.337/.368
RHP Steven Hensley: 1-1, 11 G, 11.30 ERA in 14.1 IP, 23 H (2 HR), 18 R, 15/16 K/BB, 2 HB
LHP Danny Hultzen: 1-0, 6 GS, 1.40 ERA in 19.1 IP, 16 H (HR), 3 R, 18/5 K/BB, 2 WP
SS Nick Franklin: 24 G, 89 AB, 15 R, 23 H, 4 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 14 RBI, SB, 25/11...
Via MLB Trade Rumors
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November 27, 2011
Here's a look back at the original reporting and analysis produced by MLBTR's writing team this week..
MLBTR was the first to learn of Wily Mo Pena's multi-year, multi-million dollar deal with Japan's Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. In eight major league seasons, Pena has a .250/.303/.445 slash line with 84 homers.
Ben Nicholson-Smith asked some of baseball's...
Via SI.com
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November 27, 2011
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired right-hander Josh Lueke and a player to be named or cash from the Seattle Mariners for catcher John Jaso.
Via Seattle Times
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November 27, 2011
The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired right-hander Josh Lueke and a player to be named or cash from the Seattle Mariners for catcher John Jaso.
Original Story:
