A closer look at Yusaku Iriki

Courtesy of Gotham Baseball, we have a more in-depth look at New York's latest Japanese import. We also find more evidence that Victor Diaz' stock is falling, and check out some good stuff on other blogs.

Gotham Baseball: Some background on Yusaku Iriki
GB's Mike McGann digs up some details on the latest addition to the Mets, Yusaku Iriki. There was little information floating around yesterday about Iriki, and what info we saw seemed to indicate Iriki was quite mediocre. McGann thinks that Iriki may surprise us:

Iriki isn't your typical Japanese pitcher, and in fact may be the rare player who flourishes in the U.S. after mediocre results in Japan. When the Yomiuri Giants -- the gods of Japanese baseball -- had the temerity to trade Iriki to the Fighters, Iriki ripped them publicly for doing it and claimed it was because he dared to use an agent to negotiate a new contract -- pretty much unprecedented in a country where the players' union is completely co-opted by the team owners -- and then wrangled with Nippon Ham over demands he be posted.

I have to admit that, based on what Japanese players have "accomplished" with the Mets over the years, I basically expect to see Iriki fall on his face and keep the tradition going. Thanks to McGann's article, I'm at least mildly interested in seeing him pitch. Check out the rest of the article, it's a good read.

While you're there, check out Gotham Baseball's redesigned site. It's quite an improvement over what it was.

Fox Sports: The forgotten outfielder
In a Ken Rosenthal feature on what the Red Sox might do now that Theo Epstein is back, Rosenthal comments on free-agent outfielder Jeff DaVanon, a possibility for the centerfield job in Beantown:

DaVanon also is drawing interest from the Mets, who would use him in a right-field platoon with Xavier Nady, making Victor Diaz potentially available in a trade.

I commented a few days ago on how Victor Diaz' stock seems to be plummeting this off-season. If he survives on the roster until opening day, he really has something to prove. Diaz seems to be someone who really needs outside motivation to perform. It's remarkable how big the difference is between now and last winter, when Diaz was universally talked up as on of the potential young stars of the franchise. Wake up, kid, before you find yourself as the fifth outfielder in Kansas City.

AP: Speaking of Japanese Pitchers
Former Mets failure Kazuhisa Ishii has signed a two-year contract with the Yakult Swallows.

Faith and Fear in Flushing: 1986 Flashback
Greg from FAFIF has another Flashback Friday installment looking back twenty years to the last championship season.

Mets Guy in Michigan: Are they worth it?
Dave Murray looks at some denizens of the Empire and ponders if any of the damned are worth redeeming.

Metstradamus: Still job hunting
Metstradamus features a resume that you will not likely see on Monster.com anytime soon.

MetsDaily.com: My Astros preview
If you missed it yesterday, I've written a piece on the Astros for MetsDaily.com's NL team previews. I also wrote one on the Atlanta Braves that was posted a couple of weeks ago, and will pen one more on the Padres that will be posted the first week of February.