Keiichi Yabu

According to this report [Inside Bay Area], it says the A's may be close to signing Keiichi Yabu.

Here's what I see as his major league equivalents for the past five seasons: [Link - Baseball Guru]

According to today's (January 9, 2005) Nikkan Sports, Yabu's agent has arranged a 2 year deal with the Athletics for a total of 2-oku yen, including giving him "ace number" 11 on his back. He just got back from Hawaii and is now scheduled to head to the Mainland for a medical check before signing a contract on the 14th (13th California time).

Upon arriving at Kansai International Airport, Yabu said that he had not yet heard about any of this from his agent, so he had no comment to make other than he'll be heading for the States if that's what he has to do.

Keiichi Yabu to sign with Oakland [Link - Japan Today].

Yes! Yes! Yes! YES! I never thought this day would come.

The newspaper seems to be exaggerating Yabu's importance - since when did 11 become an "ace number"? Eleven is usually worn by position players in the U.S., and the ace number in Japan is 18. Eleven is often worn by the #2 pitcher in Koshien; does that count?

Heian-794

Actually, if you look at the 2004 Hanshin Tigers (or any other Japanese team), you'll see that numbers from 10 to 29 are mostly taken by pitchers, especially in the teens.

Is number 11 retired from Hanshin? I can't find anybody having that number since (and including) at least 1996.

...the ace number in Japan is 18.

Which is interesting because Yabu wore #18 for most of his career with Hanshin.

Over in the Bay Area, we're talking about Yabu as a 5th starter, but with a strong possibility (with the large # of SP candidates) of starting the season in the bullpen.

How does Yabu look? Is he strong enough to beat out:

Dan Meyer - Link - Sports Wired] - Acquired in the Tim Hudson trade from Atlanta. Ranked by sources to be anywhere from #1 to #5 on the A's prospect list.

Joe Blanton - [Link - Sports Wired] - Top A's starting pitcher in the minor leagues and expected to make the rotation this year. Top starting pitcher taken by A's in the "Moneyball" 2002 draft.

Seth Etherton - [Link - Sports Wired] - 6 year free agent signed from the Cincinatti Reds' organization. Former 1st round pick. (18th overall by Angels in 1998 draft).

Kirk Saarloos - [Link - Sports Wired] - acquired in the Chad Harville trade with Houston mid 2004 season. Injured elbow, but is expected to be ready by spring training.

Juan Cruz - [Link - Sport Wired] - Acquired in the Tim Hudson trade with Atlanta. Former top prospect in the Chicago Cubs' system, he was converted to a reliver in Atlanta with good success, but had great success as a starter in the Dominican League this off season.

Duchscherer - [Link - Sports Wired] - Converted starting pitcher turned long man, Duke was the star of the pen last year. Macha has stated that Duke will be in the pen again, but he did have good #'s as a starter in AAA Sacramento.

Among others (man there is definantly a big battle for the 4th and 5th slots in the rotation).