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Here's what some
of the members of the Japan baseball media thought about the season prior to
Opening Day 2008. (We'll keep this up until shortly before the next
season, so you can see how they did.)
From the Yomiuri
Shimbun Online
Yokohama
BayStars -- Predicted Finish: 4
The
Yokohama BayStars made a surprising run at the postseason in 2007, only
missing out in the final month.
Thanks to uncharacteristically
good offensive years from first baseman Takahiro Saeki and second baseman
Toshihisa Nishi, the BayStars offense actually contributed. However, manager
Akihiko Oya cannot really count on the two elder statesmen replicating their
heroics. The only regular capable of vastly surpassing his 2007 numbers is
Yuki Yoshimura, who'll be 24 in June.
The additions of outfielder Larry
Bigbie and second baseman J.J. Furmaniak should give the BayStars more
offensive kick than a year ago, provided center fielder Tatsuhiko Kinjo,
catcher Ryoji Aikawa and third baseman Shuichi Murata continue to carry much
of the load.
The BayStars have one of Japan's
most consistent starting pitchers in ace right-hander Daisuke Miura, while
Hayato Terahara finally realized some of the promise he showed as a teenage
phenom in 2002. The 24 year-old has a history of injury, and may have a tough
time improving on his 12-12 record from a year ago.
The only other proven starter in
Yokohama is lefty Kimiyasu Kudo, who will be 45 on May 5 but could easily
chalk up six to 10 wins.
The fourth starter is lefty
Yoshihiro Doi, who was 5-8 with a 5.20 ERA when not facing the Giants, whom he
beats like a drum.
The BayStars pitching may not be
much, but it has been their strength. The club has four foreign pitchers to
choose from this season and Travis Hughes' numbers abroad make him look like
he'll be the biggest gun among the four.
-----
From
Jason Coskrey of The
Japan Times
Akihiko Oya's men burst out of the
gate in 2007, but a mid-to-late season swoon cost them a spot in the CL Climax
Series.
Home-run king third baseman
Shuichi Murata remains the top power threat in the BayStars' lineup.
Outfielder Yuuki Yoshimura, who finished with 24 homers, is a viable second
option.
The RBI pickings are slim after
those two unless veterans Tatsuhiko Kinjo, Takahiro Saeki, Toshihisa Nishii
and leadoff man Takuro Ishii can consistently provide additional run support.
Pitcher Daisuke Miura is a
candidate to get the ball on Opening Day as the headliner of the Yokohama
pitching staff. Behind him the BayStars have right-hander Hayato Terahara, as
well as left-handers Yoshihiro Doi and veteran Kimiyasu Kudo, who will be
entering his 27th season.
In the bullpen, Oya will need a
capable replacement for departed closer Marc Kroon, who signed with the
Yomiuri Giants in the offseason after saving 31 games with a 2.76 ERA in 43
appearances in '07.
Travis Hughes was the closer for
the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox last season and should be Kroon's successor.
Hughes, 7-6 in 57 appearances, had 24 saves and a 1.91 ERA for Pawtucket.
The BayStars also feature a large
foreign contingent with infielders Larry Bigbie and J.J. Furmaniak and
pitchers Hughes, Matt White, Dave Williams and Mike Wood all under
contract.
