Lotte's Kobayashi Declares Free Agency

According to a report in the Mainichi Daily News of Tokyo, Chiba Lotte Marines Closer Hiroyuki Kobayashi has declared free agency and intends to fulfill his dreams of pitching in the Major Leagues. The 29 year old right handed closer is a two time Japan Series champion and ready for the next step.

The Yankees should take notice. With the inconsistencies of Joba Chamberlain and co., the departure of Kerry Wood and the eventual retirement of Mariano Rivera it might not be a bad idea to take a look at Kobayashi-san since he stated in the press that he would be willing to pitch in whatever role his potential Major League suitors envision him in.

Yankees Contact Cliff Lee's Agent

According to a report on ESPN.com the Yankees have contacted Cliff Lee's agent Darek Braunecker. The most coveted pitcher on the free agent market has publicly stated that he'd love to remain a Ranger. Not being open to offers from other teams would be foolish when his team's President, Nolan Ryan, remarked "you'll have to ask those guys over there," when asked how much it would cost to re-sign him.


C.C. Sabathia signed the richest free agent contract of the off-season two years ago with the Yankees on the first official day of free agency. Given the Yankees pressing need to agree to terms with Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera it is not surprising to see them be less openly courting other team's free agents before announcing deals with three of the core four.


The 2008 Cy Young Award winner was 12-9 between the Mariners and rangers this year with a 3.18 ERA. He had 185 strikeouts and only 18 walks, good for better than a 10 to 1 ratio. In his playoff career he went 7-0 in his first 8 starts with the Phillies and Rangers before losing twice to the Giants in the World Series.


Other teams known to be interested in Lee are the Rangers and Nationals.


The first signing of the year was Johnny Peralta with the Detroit Lions for 2 years at $11.25 million. Expect bigger names to "come on down" as the next contestants in the Price is Right!


Source: ESPN

Yankees Have Plenty of Free Agent Questions to Answer

The Yankees have some huge names hitting the free agent market this year. Some will surely be back, some most certainly will not; then there are those who may or may not be back. There are also other free agents hitting the market that could be good fits for the Yankees. Let's take a quick look at where the team stands now.