Since Ichiro Suzuki's appearance on the major league scene in 2001, a handful of players have crossed the Pacific to play baseball in the United States. Most of the time, these player's Japanese clubs demanded a large sum of cash to even negotiate with their players.
But since dipping into the talent pool in the Far East has become common place, the Indians may have found a diamond in the rough.
On November 20, 2007, an average sports fan might not have even noticed that the Cleveland Indians even made a move. But that was when the Indians finalized a deal with a little known reliever named Masahide Kobayashi.
Most Tribe fans saw the last name and thought the Indians signed the best competitive eater in the history of competitive eating. But what Indians fans didn't know was this deal might have been the steal of the off season.
Going into spring training, no one quite knew what Kobayashi was capable of. Kobayshi had an impressive track record in the Japanese league. Kobayashi was a nine year veteran, who had tallied 227 saves and garnered a 2.79 ERA over his career. But this was the Major Leagues.
His first spring appearance didn't get off to a great start. Kobayashi gave up two base hits and had a runner safe on a fielder's choice, to load the bases. But he responded by getting two routine fly balls and a strike out for the third out. Since then, he has been lights out.
Take a look at his stats and they will tell you the story. In 19.1 innings this season, Kobayashi has only given up four earned runs, has thirteen strike out, and has gotten two wins and two saves. He has a 1.86 ERA, which is lowest in the bullpen.
But take away the statistics, and Kobayashi has been able to do what Joe Borowski and Rafael Betancourt have not. He has had a short memory. Most of the runs he has given up have been off of solo home runs. But Kobayashi has turned around and finished his innings strong. He has that mind set that club's covet in their closers.
His best appearance by far was on Thursday afternoon's game against Oakland. He came into a bases loaded jam with one out, courtesy of Rafael Betancourt. After a run scoring wild pitch, he struck out Mike Sweeney and Ryan Sweeney to end the game and get his second save.
So if I can give Eric Wedge a piece of advice, just give Kobayashi the ball in the ninth. Stop denying what we all know. He may not have drawn the same circus that Hideki Matsui, Ichiro Suzuki, and Daiske Matsuzaka did. But this guy nobody really knew about is for real.
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