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On Akinori Otsuka

Th_buckykatt_tiny by Adam J. Morris on in News

I don't get the furor over Akinori Otsuka supposedly recommending San Diego to Kusoke Fukudome.

San Diego is a great part of the world.  The biggest negative is cost of living, which, obviously, isn't a big issue for someone who is going to be getting a $10-15 million per year contract.

Otsuka still lives in San Diego, and that's where he chose to sign when he was a free agent coming over from Japan.

Plus, let's compare Otsuka's four years in the major leagues.  He spent two years in San Diego, where he was successful as a setup man, and where the Pads finished with a winning record in both years, including winning the division in 2005.

Then he came to Texas.  He spent the 2006 season on a team with one of the most unpopular (among players) managers around -- a manager who suggested he wasn't capable of closing despite Francisco Cordero's struggles -- on a losing team with a clubhouse in turmoil.

Then he spent the 2007 season on a team that was a disaster coming out of the gate, with drama between the manager and several players the first few months.  He then was supposedly being shopped by the organization, and then got hurt and couldn't pitch the rest of the way.  He's now in his mid-30s and with an organization that is rebuilding and not planning on seriously competing for at least a year.

Now, tell me...based on that, where would you expect Otsuka has had the more positive experience?  San Diego, or Texas?

Update [2007-12-9 12:58:18 by Adam J. Morris]: -- It was pointed out to me that Otsuka was posted, and thus his choices were sign with San Diego or go back to Japan. My apologies for my mistake.

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Agreed....
its rediculous for ppl to bash him for simply telling Fukudome the reality of this team

by erikj07 on Dec 8, 2007 5:24 PM CST   0 recs

totally agree
Now if he was being negative of Arlington, that's where the problem would be. It doesn't have much to do with the teams but more of the city. I'm sure he's told him Texas is goog but Cali is better, that's all

by meatbonelefty on Dec 8, 2007 5:27 PM CST   0 recs

I don't understand this ...
Are you saying that if he told him that Arlington is a pit that there is a problem with that?  Are you saying that Arlington can compete with San Diego?  San Diego is a really nice place to live -- arguably one of the best.  

The Metroplex is one big ass of a place to live and its not coincidence that Arlington is situated right where the anus would be.

by abc123 on Dec 8, 2007 11:44 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

DFW
I would agree that Arlington isn't that great. I lived there for seven years during college and a bit after, and aside from the Rangers, there's not a ton going on there.

But I lived in Fort Worth for 14 years, and have lived in Dallas for the last three and a half, and love both cities, although they're very different.

I've been to a lot of other cities, and other than perhaps Phoenix or Austin, I haven't found any that I liked as much as this area. Granted, I've never been to any of the major cities in the Northeast or California, but I'm a Southerner by birth, and Texas suits me just fine.

"Then I met some friends for a beer, went to a BoDeans's concert, and son of a vondruke, if I didn't leave him at the concert hall."

by RCCook on Dec 9, 2007 12:56 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I just don't understand...
why people are making so much out of this. It is not a big deal at all.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Dec 8, 2007 5:30 PM CST   0 recs

Yeh get over it !
Aki's stay here has been a nightmare. Should he of lied to him? Fukudome would of been Fuk u aki
after about a month of spinning in this fresh hell called Arlington.
"Santa all I want is a new owner for the Rangers. Pee Wee and Wash can stay." - Me

by LAMuscleFag on Dec 8, 2007 5:34 PM CST   0 recs

would of been
You mean would have been (would've).  Sorry, that is maybe my biggest pet peeve when it comes to word usage.
Tomorrow Never Knows

by t ball on Dec 8, 2007 9:53 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Do we even know...
whether it was the team or the city of San Diego he recommended?

Anyway, agreed;

besides, it must be hard for AO to be enthusastic for Rangerdom, since
he knows that he is yet another veteran we need to resurrect and then trade at the ASB, as part of our rebuilding.

I think our Project Vet-Resurrection should include inviting Aki to be our closer 'til then.

by subsidiarity on Dec 8, 2007 5:35 PM CST   0 recs

Gagne to the Brew Crew--we better like Oki
With Yahoo sports saying Gagne is signing a one-year deal with the Brewers, we had better get something out of Aki...

by Muguy on Dec 8, 2007 5:44 PM CST   0 recs

C'mon guys
Why do ya'll act like it is such a big deal that nobody wants to play here?
Some professionals get better with age and experience. Lawyers, professors, engineers. Hookers? Not so much. -- DJ Cahill

by tricer on Dec 8, 2007 5:48 PM CST   0 recs

on a bright note
I think we still have a damn good chance in signing Fukudome.

We should find out in the next few days if he intends to play in the US or stay in Japan.

If he decides to play here then the Rangers could very well be the front runner in getting him.

We've got the money to sign him. Get it done and bring him to Texas. Like Tom Hicks said... It's all about money. Thats why we lost Hunter. So, I say if he wants to play for MLB. Then the Rangers should go all out and sign him.

Guess we'll find out in a few days as to what's up with Fuk.

btw.. fuk u OtSUCKa and the stinking ass Padres.

I am living off the government tit! Sucking it dry! Merry Christmas LSB community. Loves me some LSB!

by LtDan on Dec 8, 2007 5:53 PM CST   0 recs

Chris Young is on the Padres
eom
T.R. -- enough is enough.

by Chase Irwin on Dec 8, 2007 7:51 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

As I mentioned in the side diary
there is a big problem in my opinion when players are recommending to other players to go play elsewhere.  

This is simply an echo of how free agents feel about coming to Texas, they don't want to.  This should be a warning sign to Jon Daniels that perhaps players here aren't even happy.  

This reminds me very much of when Mark Cuban took over the horrid Dallas Mavericks.  He made drastic changes, including I remember changing the chairs that the Mavs sit on during games and providing each player with play stations in their lockers.  Sure they are relatively small, but it brought the team attention and made Dallas a more attractive place to play, even when they weren't a great team at the time.  

Something like that needs to take place with the Texas Rangers.  When players on our own team are telling others to play elsewhere, it is time to make some inherent changes to this franchise.  

This is a big deal.

I mentioned this earlier in the side diary, but this is the equivalent of a German free agent in basketball coming over to the States and seeking advice from Dirk.  And instead of telling him to play alongside him with the Mavs he says go play with San Antonio, you will like it more.  

We would never imagine Dirk doing that.  We know that Dirk wants to win so badly that clearly he would want a great talent on his side trying to win.  He would only make such a suggestion if he was extremely unhappy with the Mavs.  So either Aki doesn't care about winning, and if so we should trade him, or if Aki is that upset with the Rangers, I imagine it isn't just him, and the Rangers need to figure out what exactly is going within their clubhouse.

Your Texas Rangers...2007-Playing for the Future, 2010-Playing for the Future, 2013-Playing for the Future, 2017-Playing for the Future

by Agreen07 on Dec 8, 2007 6:03 PM CST   0 recs

Much different situations
Dirk has been in Dallas his whole career.  Otsuka hasn't.

Dirk is on a championship contender.  Otsuka is on a team that isn't likely to contend before Otsuka is a free agent.

And on Cuban, he made all those changes, but the Mavs still consistently struck out on their big f.a. targets.

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 8, 2007 6:06 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Dirk can be
exchanged with anyone that hasn't been on their team their whole career.  And it doesn't matter that Otsuka isn't on a championship contender.  He should want to win, he shouldn't get a free pass from caring because he is a free agent soon.  And it doesn't matter that the Mavs struck out, at least free agents put Dallas on their radar.  
Your Texas Rangers...2007-Playing for the Future, 2010-Playing for the Future, 2013-Playing for the Future, 2017-Playing for the Future

by Agreen07 on Dec 8, 2007 6:11 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Further
Cuban's changes also brought about a philosophical change in Dallas and their locker room.  The idea that they can and one day will be good.  Clearly Aki has no concept of that.  
Your Texas Rangers...2007-Playing for the Future, 2010-Playing for the Future, 2013-Playing for the Future, 2017-Playing for the Future

by Agreen07 on Dec 8, 2007 6:13 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Well, clearly
Because we all know exactly what was said, and in what context.

I say we lynch him, and then start on his children.

Clearly.

Dwyade once challenged God to a game of 1-on-1, only to realize that not even God can play 1-on-1 against Himself.

by thedirkatron on Dec 8, 2007 10:33 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Let it go, please.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Dec 8, 2007 6:34 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Akinori Otsuka is a back stabbing trader
DFA IS SORRY ASS.

he doesn't deserve to play on this team come 2008. How can any teammate, management, or fan forgive him for what he said.

I am living off the government tit! Sucking it dry! Merry Christmas LSB community. Loves me some LSB!

by LtDan on Dec 8, 2007 6:06 PM CST   0 recs

Yeah, DFA him
Release him, so he can be a free agent and sign with San Diego (or whomever else he wants) for more than he'd get in arbitration.

That'll teach him.

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 8, 2007 6:08 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Otsuka = backstabber
and is a complete disgrace to this team.

Where the hell is the loyalty and faithfulness to this team? I HATE YOU Akinori Otsuka.

I am living off the government tit! Sucking it dry! Merry Christmas LSB community. Loves me some LSB!

by LtDan on Dec 8, 2007 6:10 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Let me rephrase
I shouldn't have said hate. I meant dislike.

damn, I need to run up to the store brb

I am living off the government tit! Sucking it dry! Merry Christmas LSB community. Loves me some LSB!

by LtDan on Dec 8, 2007 6:27 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

trade him...
to San Diego for Chris Young.

by Redcaps on Dec 9, 2007 9:01 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

I would rather have...
Adrian Gonzalez back.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Dec 9, 2007 9:42 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Either flawed logic, or bad imagination...
"So either Aki doesn't care about winning, and if so we should trade him, or if Aki is that upset with the Rangers, I imagine it isn't just him..."

...or he's not recruiting for a team he'll be leaving at the ASB.

by subsidiarity on Dec 8, 2007 6:09 PM CST   0 recs

I'm not too bothered by Otsuka's statements....
I'd probably say the same if I were talking to Fukudome.

OTOH, I think there were people saying that having Otsuka here would be a plus in recruiting Japanese players (to defend the Chris Young fiasco)....

I guess they might not have had it exactly right there....

Req

by Requiem on Dec 8, 2007 6:15 PM CST   0 recs

Amen Adam
Amen Amen Adam Adam

by 3Bagger on Dec 8, 2007 6:16 PM CST   0 recs

Calling him a "trader"
... was right, but "traitor" would be wrong.

And until we make him a "trader," let's re-make him into a "closer."

by subsidiarity on Dec 8, 2007 6:20 PM CST   0 recs

Very Bob Uecker
of you. well done.
Your Texas Rangers...2007-Playing for the Future, 2010-Playing for the Future, 2013-Playing for the Future, 2017-Playing for the Future

by Agreen07 on Dec 8, 2007 6:22 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

ha
you're very observative...

However, I meant traitor. That he is.

I am living off the government tit! Sucking it dry! Merry Christmas LSB community. Loves me some LSB!

by LtDan on Dec 8, 2007 6:31 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

When one of your best players
essentially says they don't care about winning, I'm not sure what kind of fan you are for not being upset.
Your Texas Rangers...2007-Playing for the Future, 2010-Playing for the Future, 2013-Playing for the Future, 2017-Playing for the Future

by Agreen07 on Dec 8, 2007 6:21 PM CST   0 recs

I'll defend Aki
If you had a friend at a company, and you asked him whether you should accept an offer at his company or at another where he had experience, you'd want him to be honest with you, right?  

I also think Aki's recommendation is as much about culture as it is about the team.  

I don't prefer San Diego to Texas, but then again, I'm a Texan living in California.  If I were Japanese, you'd better believe I'd prefer So Cal.  The weather is more similar to that of Japan, there are many, many more Japanese restaurants and stores, and frankly, the culture here is more accepting of Asian culture here than in DFW.  There is a thriving Japanese community in San Diego with the biotech and computer industry here - it makes sense that Aki would have been more comfortable here than in Texas.

The Padres are not a particularly better run team than the Rangers are, and I've been surprised by the amount of San Diego players' angst that is made public.   Aki was frustrated here playing behind Hoffman, though I guess he probably felt betrayed by the Gagne situation.  As a hitter adjusting to a new league, Fukodome would have to prefer Texas than San Diego

by JBImaknee on Dec 8, 2007 6:28 PM CST   0 recs

word
very redic. San Diego >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> D/FW area

Very disappointing the way this situation was handled by some 'report'...

by Longhorn on Dec 8, 2007 6:29 PM CST   0 recs

Who cares about fixing up a rental
... as much as his own home?

"When one of your best players
essentially says they don't care about winning..."

It's human nature to value the permanent over the temporary. Besides, at this point, he's not renting us, we're renting him! He cares about winning in general, but doesn't know for whom in particular.

And you're blaming him for not promoting a team that's about to make HIM its opposition?

By (rightly) rebuilding, we're the ones (albeit without blame) who are making him look out for himself, and his friend while he's at it,in the meantime.

If we hand him the ball in the ninth for the season's first 3 months, it will be mutually beneficial.

by subsidiarity on Dec 8, 2007 6:37 PM CST   0 recs

Hi
Ed!
You're hijacking the thread and being repetitive. Move forward.

by Rodney on Dec 8, 2007 6:49 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

couple things
  1. I can't comprehend that someone wouldn't understand why it would offend a fan to have one of their players recommend another team. Its not about if they think San Diego is a better place to Texas, they expect the players to have some kind of loyalty to the team and helping it succeed.  Naive or not, its still pretty obvious why the idea is offensive.  
  2. Can we stop acting like the threads on this are 95% people flaming aki and 5% higher minds defending him?  It seems like over half the people say its no big deal, and many of the people criticizing him fill their posts with "IF THIS IS TRUE" or "I DONT KNOW WHAT WAS REALLY SAID, BUT"....

by DSheppard on Dec 8, 2007 6:49 PM CST   0 recs

+1
Your Texas Rangers...2007-Playing for the Future, 2010-Playing for the Future, 2013-Playing for the Future, 2017-Playing for the Future

by Agreen07 on Dec 8, 2007 6:53 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

and let me put it this way
Reporter: Michael, the rangers are struggling, would you rather be a redsock?

MY: Yeah, Id love to be in boston.  I really hate that weve given up on the next couple years.  Boston is a much better baseball town, and a much better team, it would be pretty cool if they traded me there.

Is it the truth? Yes.  Would it be acceptable? No.  

Now the Aki situation is different, but there are many people on here acting as if there is just nothing wrong at all with having no tact regarding this kind of situation.  Silly political correctness or not, you just dont do that.  And I have a feeling if that there are a whole lot of truths people here wouldnt want to hear come out of the players mouths.  Or every single person they know.  Its not about rather they are telling the truth or not.

I have a feeling aki probably didnt say anything really against the rangers and was just speaking on vs those two teams, im arguing against the general reactions to those who say a player recommending another team is no big deal, not the specific aki statements.

by DSheppard on Dec 8, 2007 7:04 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

-1
if it offends you that someone wants the best for his friend, giving him his best advice for someone coming to the states for the first time, then, well...that sucks for you to think that way.

by Longhorn on Dec 8, 2007 7:13 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

-2
The fact that Aki doesn't think the Rangers are the best for his friends indicates an inherent problem with the Texas Rangers franchise or how they treat their players.
Your Texas Rangers...2007-Playing for the Future, 2010-Playing for the Future, 2013-Playing for the Future, 2017-Playing for the Future

by Agreen07 on Dec 8, 2007 7:18 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Where is the proof to show
that Aki said not to come to Texas to play baseball?  All I see is him talking about San Diego.  Not the Pads, but San Diego.
""I love GOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLD" blueglovelefty

by NYTXFAN on Dec 8, 2007 7:20 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Or of course
that Aki doesn't care about winning.
Your Texas Rangers...2007-Playing for the Future, 2010-Playing for the Future, 2013-Playing for the Future, 2017-Playing for the Future

by Agreen07 on Dec 8, 2007 7:21 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Wow
he called you out.  With that kind of flip-floping you should be running the Yanks.
Your Texas Rangers...2007-Playing for the Future, 2010-Playing for the Future, 2013-Playing for the Future, 2017-Playing for the Future

by Agreen07 on Dec 8, 2007 7:20 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

uh... thanks?
I think we established you've made a post with that sentiment.  Since its kind of like the one I was replying to.

It would be why you said the opposite that I wanted you to explain.

by DSheppard on Dec 8, 2007 7:28 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

yeah
when i made that comment i was solely thinking about what's best for the rangers, thus my 'selfish reasons'. After removing the sports and fan part out of it, then thinking about the cultural situation, the best possible situation for someone coming to the states for the first time, i have no justifiable reason to question what Aki did, and i can't see how anyone else can either.  And i reiterate now, Aki did the right thing for his friend...

by Longhorn on Dec 8, 2007 7:51 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

So...
your initial reaction is that you are offended.

and you insult me for saying it should be obvious why people's reaction may be to be offended.

And then elaborating that the idea may be naive, and later that it involved political correctness and that i specifically was talking about the idea in general and not aki's situation, which I deemed most likely harmless.

ridiculous.

-25.

by DSheppard on Dec 8, 2007 7:56 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

-26
T.R. -- enough is enough.

by Chase Irwin on Dec 8, 2007 8:00 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

+26?
Guess we're back to 0.
Fire Todd Dodge.

by sprite on Dec 8, 2007 8:35 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

+ 25
nope up to + 25
"Santa all I want is a new owner for the Rangers. Pee Wee and Wash can stay." - Me

by LAMuscleFag on Dec 8, 2007 8:41 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

+100
DShepp is the man.
Your Texas Rangers...2007-Playing for the Future, 2010-Playing for the Future, 2013-Playing for the Future, 2017-Playing for the Future

by Agreen07 on Dec 8, 2007 9:00 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

also, it's apparent
you view sports above everything else in life.

by Longhorn on Dec 8, 2007 7:24 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

+ 1
exactly and the Japaneese are very faithful to their own.
"Santa all I want is a new owner for the Rangers. Pee Wee and Wash can stay." - Me

by LAMuscleFag on Dec 8, 2007 8:05 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Well advocated, Adam.
I disagree, but well advocated.

by Jamey Newberg on Dec 8, 2007 6:57 PM CST   0 recs

And I disagreed...
with your comments today in your email.  

Normally you and I are on the same page, but not today.  I don't think it was right to call out Aki in this situation.  Your last line in the email struck me as wrong.

by bdavison94 on Dec 8, 2007 9:22 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

The only thing that i hope for our of this is.....
He went to FUKU and said yeah San Diego is nice.  Its not as hot as it gets in Texas, but let me tell you what,  come play for the Rangers.  They have a good young team and could really use your skills in right field.  Live in San Diego but play for us.
""I love GOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLD" blueglovelefty

by NYTXFAN on Dec 8, 2007 7:18 PM CST   0 recs

Aki's trade bait
this year anyway.  Better question is why Kinsler won't sign an extension that'll lock him up through his arb years + just his first free agent year.  Any smoke there?

by SteveP on Dec 8, 2007 7:21 PM CST   0 recs

What is Japanese for "traitor"?
Aki is dead to me.
I own a lot of Apple stock,so buy more iPhones!

by Ajax on Dec 8, 2007 7:49 PM CST   0 recs

Another thought
Who is to say that Fukodome had any interest at all in Texas.  He may have decided to cross Texas off his list a long time ago.  His question to Aki could have been "I'm down to the Cubs and the Padres - did you like playing in San Diego?"  After all - we've known for a while that his list is kind of short.

This is a simple question with no relevance to Texas at all.  And it is very possible that that is how it went down.

by JBImaknee on Dec 8, 2007 8:08 PM CST   0 recs

+1
"2008 should be about rebuilding, 2009 about taking a step forward. 2010 is the target year." -AJM

by dstar442005 on Dec 8, 2007 8:38 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

yeah
multiple people have said this.  hard to keep track, i think this debate has taken place across three threads

by ab03 on Dec 8, 2007 8:55 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

If there was a hotshot Dominican prospect...
...that every team in the ML, including Texas, was trying to sign, and Sammy Sosa talked to the kid and recommended he sign with the Cubs, would you view the situation any differently?
Some professionals get better with age and experience. Lawyers, professors, engineers. Hookers? Not so much. -- DJ Cahill

by tricer on Dec 8, 2007 9:09 PM CST   0 recs

Yeah
Sammy Sosa doesn't play for the Texas Rangers.
Your Texas Rangers...2007-Playing for the Future, 2010-Playing for the Future, 2013-Playing for the Future, 2017-Playing for the Future

by Agreen07 on Dec 8, 2007 9:10 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Not really
Should I be angry at Sammy Sosa if that happened?

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 8, 2007 9:18 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Is there a situation that could take place
where you wouldn't be mad at sammy sosa?

by DSheppard on Dec 8, 2007 10:37 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Great song
"tierra de peloteros where Sammy Sosa lives"

by brettgardner on Dec 8, 2007 9:52 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

All i know is that San Diego was
discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diego, which of course in German means a whale's vagina...haha...now i am out to the bar
We realize we have an issue at Angel Stadium (Rat problem)

by Hemi Charger on Dec 8, 2007 9:39 PM CST   0 recs

Wow
I'm pretty sure you're the first guy to say that here.  Thank god we have comedic geniuses that take the pressure off our brains by just recycling somebody else's hacky work instead of coming up with something new.  HEY GUYS--SANDIEGO MEANS WHALE'S VAGINA! JUSTLIKEANCHORMANGETIT??

by brettgardner on Dec 8, 2007 9:46 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Speaking of comedic geniuses...
I just finished watching Dave Attell's newest stand up on HBO. Holy shit, I was laughing so hard my chest hurts.

His stand up is top 5 easy...highly recommend to those that are not easily offended.

"Do you guys call it b.j.'s or just making throat babies"...great stuff.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Dec 8, 2007 10:10 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

well you dork,
thats what i was referencing...the anchorman movie...only if you have seen you would get it, i never said i came up with
We need to sign Julio Franco, he'll still be around when the Rangers are good again

by Hemi Charger on Dec 8, 2007 10:11 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I really wish the +1 crap would stop
Do you guys even know where that came from? It doesn't make sense in the context you use it.

It's as annoying as the "First!" stuff.

by chief on Dec 8, 2007 9:49 PM CST   0 recs

-1.
J/K. That is annoying.
Fire Todd Dodge.

by sprite on Dec 8, 2007 9:52 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

not nearly as annoying as ....

WOOT !   though :)
"Santa all I want is a new owner for the Rangers. Pee Wee and Wash can stay." - Me

by LAMuscleFag on Dec 8, 2007 10:04 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

-2
T.R. -- enough is enough.

by Chase Irwin on Dec 8, 2007 10:13 PM CST to parent up   0 recs