lawrencefrank
01-24-2005, 09:32 PM
CHICAGO -- When questioned about the chance to sign Tadahito Iguchi one week ago at SoxFest, White Sox general manager Ken Williams didn't exactly rule out the possibility. Then again, he didn't exactly sound optimistic.
"I'm not spending very much time on it right now," said Williams of Iguchi. "That's not to say ultimately that's one of the things we end up doing."
Maybe Williams was genuinely unsure in regards to Iguchi joining the White Sox. Maybe Williams was operating in "stealth mode," flying under the radar as the team continued to seriously pursue the talented second baseman.
Whatever the thought process at the time, the White Sox seemingly have their man nine days later. According to news reports from Kyodo, Japan, Iguchi and the White Sox have come to an agreement on a two-year deal at close to $5 million, including a club option for a third year. According to a source close to the situation, the contract also includes performance-related incentives.
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Neither the White Sox camp nor Richard Moss, Iguchi's agent, could comment on the signing. The news will not become official until later in the week, pending Iguchi passing a physical.
There was original interest in Iguchi from five Major League teams, including the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. As those teams gradually went through their offseason paces, it quickly became apparent that Iguchi either would be playing for the White Sox in 2005 or returning to the Fukouka Daiei Hawks.
Iguchi and his agent wanted a contract in the neighborhood of Kaz Matsui's three-year, $20 million deal with the New York Mets, while the White Sox countered with two years at $4 million. The new deal will be for slightly less than Iguchi earned with the Daiei Hawks in 2004.
Both scouts and agents who have watched Iguchi in action classify him as an impact player at any level of competition. He's a potential No. 2 hitter with great speed, who also has the power to drive the ball into the gaps. Iguchi won the Pacific League stolen base title in 2001 and 2003, earned three Gold Gloves and was named an All-Star four times.
Although Iguchi began his career as a shortstop, a right shoulder injury moved him to second base. He has thrived during the past two seasons in Japan, including a .333 effort with 24 home runs and 89 RBIs last year.
The move appears to send Willie Harris to the bench, with the ability to use Harris as both a reserve in the outfield and in the infield. The White Sox still need a utility infielder whose primary position is at shortstop.
Iguchi joins closer Shingo Takatsu as the White Sox's second player from the Far East in not just the past two years but in franchise history. Williams mentioned that Takatsu's very positive experience with the White Sox in 2004 did not go unnoticed by other players in Japan.
The addition of Iguchi is Williams' eighth of the current offseason. Outfielder Jermaine Dye, catcher A.J. Pierzynski and pitchers Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, Kevin Walker and Dustin Hermanson all joined the team through free agency, while outfielder Scott Podsednik and reliever Luis Vizcaino came over in a trade with Milwaukee.
"I'm not spending very much time on it right now," said Williams of Iguchi. "That's not to say ultimately that's one of the things we end up doing."
Maybe Williams was genuinely unsure in regards to Iguchi joining the White Sox. Maybe Williams was operating in "stealth mode," flying under the radar as the team continued to seriously pursue the talented second baseman.
Whatever the thought process at the time, the White Sox seemingly have their man nine days later. According to news reports from Kyodo, Japan, Iguchi and the White Sox have come to an agreement on a two-year deal at close to $5 million, including a club option for a third year. According to a source close to the situation, the contract also includes performance-related incentives.
Complete coverage >
Neither the White Sox camp nor Richard Moss, Iguchi's agent, could comment on the signing. The news will not become official until later in the week, pending Iguchi passing a physical.
There was original interest in Iguchi from five Major League teams, including the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. As those teams gradually went through their offseason paces, it quickly became apparent that Iguchi either would be playing for the White Sox in 2005 or returning to the Fukouka Daiei Hawks.
Iguchi and his agent wanted a contract in the neighborhood of Kaz Matsui's three-year, $20 million deal with the New York Mets, while the White Sox countered with two years at $4 million. The new deal will be for slightly less than Iguchi earned with the Daiei Hawks in 2004.
Both scouts and agents who have watched Iguchi in action classify him as an impact player at any level of competition. He's a potential No. 2 hitter with great speed, who also has the power to drive the ball into the gaps. Iguchi won the Pacific League stolen base title in 2001 and 2003, earned three Gold Gloves and was named an All-Star four times.
Although Iguchi began his career as a shortstop, a right shoulder injury moved him to second base. He has thrived during the past two seasons in Japan, including a .333 effort with 24 home runs and 89 RBIs last year.
The move appears to send Willie Harris to the bench, with the ability to use Harris as both a reserve in the outfield and in the infield. The White Sox still need a utility infielder whose primary position is at shortstop.
Iguchi joins closer Shingo Takatsu as the White Sox's second player from the Far East in not just the past two years but in franchise history. Williams mentioned that Takatsu's very positive experience with the White Sox in 2004 did not go unnoticed by other players in Japan.
The addition of Iguchi is Williams' eighth of the current offseason. Outfielder Jermaine Dye, catcher A.J. Pierzynski and pitchers Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, Kevin Walker and Dustin Hermanson all joined the team through free agency, while outfielder Scott Podsednik and reliever Luis Vizcaino came over in a trade with Milwaukee.