NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman passes along a report indicating that infielder
Akinori Iwamura has a basic agreement in place with the Rakuten Golden
Eagles.
Iwamura, 32 in February, hit just .173/.285/.250 in 229 plate appearances
split between the Pirates and Athletics this season. In three seasons with
Tampa Bay, he hit a far more respectable .281/.354/.393 while moving from
third to second base. Iwamura played eight years with Tokyo Yakult Swallows
before joining the then-Devil Rays, who won his rights with a $4.5MM bid.
Iwamura indicated a desire to remain in North America just last month, but
perhaps the offer from Rakuten was just too good to pass up.
岩村:夢醒了,該回家了
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