Norihiro Nakamura

[SHOCKandAWE]

He could be a deep sleeper this year!


Dodgers: Nakamura set to report on Tuesday
The News
The Dodgers' potential new third baseman is slated to arrive in camp on Tuesday. Japanese infielder Norihiro Nakamura, who signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers earlier this month, has reportedly resolved his visa problems. Nakamura had a career .263 average with 307 homers and 916 RBI in his 13-year career with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes of the Japanese Pacific League. He was named an All-Star eight times.
Our View
Nakamura will get a long look at third base this spring and may wind up splitting time at the position with Jose Valentin. If that happens, Antonio Perez will be pushed back into a utility role; however, Perez could take over at second base if Jeff Kent is moved to first in place of Hee-Seop Choi.

[so0perspam]

Sounds like a poor man's Troy Glaus to me.

[Havok1517]

Whatever happen to joe thurston?

[SHOCKandAWE]

With as much depth at 3B this year he wont see many drafts but may be a decent pickup if someone needs a fill because of injury

[Tavish]

<pre>
Year Team AVG HR RBI AB H BB SB
2001 Kintetsu Buffaloes .320 46 132 525 168 104 3
2002 Kintetsu Buffaloes .294 42 115 511 150 86 0
2003 Kintetsu Buffaloes .236 23 67 381 90 72 1
2004 Kintetsu Buffaloes .274 19 66 387 106 73 0
</pre>

Not quite as promising numbers as Iguchi, he would be a very deep sleeper at best.

[so0perspam]

More stuff on the guy:

The Dodgers needed only a minor league contract offer to lure the slugging Japanese third baseman to the U.S., where he will compete with Olmedo Saenz for right-handed platoon at-bats at both corner infield spots. However, Nakamura is unlikely to take significant playing time from scheduled starters Hee-Seop Choi and Jose Valentin, and he's also rehabilitating from offseason knee surgery. Nakamura has big-time power, averaging 42 homers over his three-year peak from 2000 to 2002, and he's not afraid to take a walk. But with his health and playing time both in question, he's only worth a gamble in deep NL-only leagues.

[Rico The Retard]

<pre>
Year Team AVG HR RBI AB H BB SB
2001 Kintetsu Buffaloes .320 46 132 525 168 104 3
2002 Kintetsu Buffaloes .294 42 115 511 150 86 0
2003 Kintetsu Buffaloes .236 23 67 381 90 72 1
2004 Kintetsu Buffaloes .274 19 66 387 106 73 0
</pre>

Not quite as promising numbers as Iguchi, he would be a very deep sleeper at best.

hmmmmmm, was he juicin in '01, it seems like his numbers amazingly decrease in that 4 year span

[SHOCKandAWE]

However, Nakamura is unlikely to take significant playing time from scheduled starters Hee-Seop Choi and Jose Valentin, and he's also rehabilitating from offseason knee surgery.

So how hard can it be to beat out Jose Valentin?

[nikku88]

He suffered injury problems the last 2 years so his numbers went down, he also is getting older.
He's a decent sleeper I guess, but his AVG wont' be very good.

[so0perspam]

However, Nakamura is unlikely to take significant playing time from scheduled starters Hee-Seop Choi and Jose Valentin, and he's also rehabilitating from offseason knee surgery.

So how hard can it be to beat out Jose Valentin?

How hard is it for Feliz to beat out JT Snow? I don't know.