Shingo Takatsu

[Rapps5]

whats the deal with this guy? is he worth anything as a closer? It seems as though he is third in line in Chigago to close. I picked him up in my 10 team 5x5 league, and could easily drop him for Konerko or Crede. What do you think about this Shingo???

[Broncmet724]

I think it's a bit of a stretch in a 10 team league to carry him on a roster.

[Guest]

I think it's a bit of a stretch in a 10 team league to carry him on a roster.

agreed

[DieHardCubbie]

I think it's a bit of a stretch in a 10 team league to carry him on a roster.

I agree....from everything I have read....the guy does not have a good fastball...and only a mediocre breaking ball....his out pitch is his change...but that is not gonna be helped much with a bad fastball...

I would drop him for Konerko then Crede....

[Rapps5]

ok, i should be able to get Konerko for him, but would that be the best move? here is my roster:
Catcher: Jason Kendall
First Baseman: David Ortiz
Second Baseman: Bret Boone
Third Baseman: Hank Blalock
Shortstop: Jose Reyes
Outfielder: Carlos Beltran
Outfielder: Aubrey Huff (1B, 3B, OF)
Outfielder: Luis Gonzalez
Outfielder: Corey Paterson
Outfielder: Alex Sanchez
2B/SS: Bill Mueller (2B/3B)
1B/3B: Dimitri Young (3B/OF)
Utility: Kevin Millar (1B/OF)
Pitcher: Pedro Martinez
Pitcher: Tim Hudson
Pitcher: Randy Johnson
Pitcher: Matt Morris
Pitcher: Livan Hernandez
Pitcher: Arthur Rhodes
Pitcher: Danys Baez
Pitcher: Joe Nathan
Pitcher: Jose Mesa
Bench: Adam Kennedy (2B)
Bench: Jay Payton (OF)
Bench: Shingo Takatsu (P)
DL: A.J. Burnett (P)*
* = player inactive due to injury

I could drop Shingo for Konerko, Crede, Leiter, Hasegawa, or LoDuca. Whats the best move?

[bruuno2]

Dont rule him out!I think you should keep him.One thing you have to remember about this guy.#1 closer in Japan?That should count for something!

[Pedantic]

Dont rule him out!I think you should keep him.One thing you have to remember about this guy.#1 closer in Japan?That should count for something!

Let's recall how many HRs Hideki Matsui had in Japan, shall we? Drop Takatsu for Konerko.

[Cornbread Maxwell]

First of all - he is not the third in line for the closer role. We have discussed this topic before - but Marte IS NOT tagged for full time closer duties if Koch fails. They got Takatsu as Koch's backup.

I dont know his numbers, but everyone says he is the most prolific closer in Japanese history. That has to account for something.

So lets sum up this situation real quick:

1. Koch is arguably the worst closer in the majors based on his numbers from last yr. He is slated as their current closer, but smart money says he loses that job by mid May at the latest.

2. The CWS went after the best foriegn import closer on the market and got him - Takatsu. Apparantly Takatsu is pretty good based on what insiders have said about him, and based on the fact that they had to outbid a couple other teams for his services.

3. Marte probably will close some games if thats when the CWS need him, but for the large part he will not be their"closer".


To me, the signs point to a pretty good chance that Takatsu will take over for Koch in the near future, and will get a decent amount of saves when he does.

1 other thing to consider - the closer position had a lot of turnover last yr, and it might be again this yr, so the probability that more closers emerge as the season progresses is pretty good. You may even be able to drop Takatsu now and pick him back up in a month when you see Koch start to struggle.