New York Yankees optimist to sign Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima - MLB News
The New York Yankees are very optimistic to sign Japanese star shortstop, Hiroyuki Nakajima, for the next Major League Baseball season. They have recently won the negotiations rights from Nakajima’s Japanese pacific club, Seibu Lions and now, the management
making a viable plan before holding a brief meeting with them in the next few days.
The Yankees are in deep need of a good shortstop to provide a little backup for their ace talent, Derek Jeter. Some top executives from the Yankees management also mentioned in the media about Jeter’s backup in the annual general managers’ and winter meeting
in Milwaukee.
Brian Cashman, who is the Yankees general manager, said that those particular meetings put great emphasis on the shortstop’s needs and requirements in the current roster. Cashman said, “Ultimately, it’s an area for us to pursue talent, having access to a
middle of the diamond-type player, In this game, it’s almost becoming rarer and rarer on a yearly basis having access to someone who can play up the middle as good as he can. Trying to get access at a cost level that might benefit us makes a lot of sense.”
According to Cashman’s prospective, Nakajima was the main focus of attention even in the late 2011 regular season and as soon as the season ended, the Yankees management started to put more concentration to fulfill their gap at the shortstop position.
Nakajima, who plays in the Japanese Baseball League, certainly possesses some great skills that can be beneficial for the Yankees roster next season. The Yankees now have a great chance to sign Nakajima after winning negotiations rights, but on the other
hand, they also have to understand the poor financial position of their franchise that would not allow them to spend too much money on the Japanese sensation.
Some experts are also saying that Nakajima’s Japanese team might agree to send him in the biggest baseball league in the world but for a hefty amount, which ultimately will create a big problem for the Yankees as the team is yet to include some two to three
outfielders for next season.
The next few days will be very critical on Nakajima’s potential arrival to the New York Yankees as his Japanese club’s executives are scheduled to meet the Yankees management.
Tags: