Outside the Box: Chasing Dragons

Kenta Maeda SP (NPB)
Age: 26
Years Pro: 8

One of the top two pitchers in Japan, there are reports that Maeda may not be posted this off-season as a result of an a injury shortened, disappointing 11-8 year.  A closer look at Maeda's 2014 stats, however, reveal strikeout, BABIP and walk rates in line with his career numbers, so it's possible that the club owners are merely trying to maximize Maeda's posting fee.  The injuries may or may not have driven down Maeda's value.

Aside from a "disappointing" 2014 season, Maeda has been extremely durable and one of the top pitchers in the NPB for the past six years,  Just 26, the slight, wirey 6 footer lives off a live low-90's fastball, mixing in a quixotic change-up with snappy little swing and miss 84 mph slider. Not projected to have MLB ace upside like Yu Darvish or Masahiro Tananka, scouts project Maeda to be a solid number #4 today with the upside to be a solid #3 in a year or two.

Reuben Amaro Jr has reportedly been to Japan in person, and while a Maeda signing wouldn't necessarily be a franchise changer for the Phillies, it would be the first big move by a front office operating on Gillick's publicly stated we-won't-compete-until 2017 time table. So don't be surprised if the Phillies swoop in at the last moment, (when the market has settled) and make a big overmarket splash for a backend of the rotation guy.

Jung-ho Kang SS (KBO)

Age: 27
Years Pro: 10

After a breakout 2014 season which saw the twenty-seven year old Kang crank 38 homeruns in 107 games and throw up a .360/.463/.756 slash line, Kang's KBO club the Nexen Heroes will reportedly post the right handed hitting shortstop sometime in January.  The KBO's posting system is like the NPB's old system, that is, teams make blind bids for the right to negotiate with player for thirty days.

No one really knows how Kang's talents will translate at the major league level, but initial reports project anything from a stiff average to slightly above average bat-only option of the bench, to a super-utility 2B/3B/SS with 15 to 20 homer pop.

Regardless, Kang should be relatively inexpensive (he's making $400K now) compared to recent international signings and based on a simple eye test he sure looks like he has legit quick twitch power.

Chihiro Kaneko SP (NPB)
Age: 31
Years Pro: 9

You may not have heard of Chihiro Kaneko but the winner of the 2014 Sawamura Award had an eye opening year.  Kaneko threw three shutouts (along with a heartbreaking but dazzling no hitter) on his way to posting a ridiculous season line of, 16-5, 1.95 ERA, 9.4 SO/9.  No surprise to fans of the Nippon League, Kaneko's been dominant for over half a decade and sports a sparkling 2.69 career ERA and 0.6 HR/9  rate.  Intriguing as an over 30 prospect gets, the crafty righthander doesn't throw hard (88-90) but has seven pitches he throws for strikes.  

Kaneko's style and NPB numbers compare favorably with  Hisashi Iwakuma of the Seattle Mariners, and based on Iwakama's sucess (11.5 WAR in three seasons) it might make sense for the Phillies to sign this guy.  Especially if Kenta Maeda isn't posted.  

Injuries in 2011 and '12 along with Kaneko's age, could lower both the posting fee and contract.  Being a bargain might highlight Kaneko's pitchability and career arc rather than the limits of his velocity and upside.  Maybe one of the top five pitchers in Japan right now, Kaneko could be an attractive commodity to a franchise starved for Big League starters.  

While the story has been unconfirmed, Kaneko is reported to have visited the states and attended a World Series game while he was here.  The experience inspired Kaneko to take a shot a playing in America and he asked his team to be posted, The Phillies have already scouted scouted Kaneko as they seem to be checking under every proverbial rock this off-season.

Byun Ho Park 1B (KBO)

Age:

Years Pro:

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