Yankees win right to negotiate with Japanese shortstop

[yankeebiscuitfan]

The New York Yankees won negotiating rights to shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima of the Seibu Lions in Japan's Pacific League. They are looking for a back up infielder for the left side of the infield.

Major League Baseball announced Wednesday the Yankees had the highest bid in the posting process. New York has 30 days to reach an agreement with Nakajima and will pay the posting fee only if an agreement is reached. The posting fee for the 29-year-old is $2.5 million.

"This is about acquiring talented players to put them on our club," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He'll be asked to do a number of things."

Nakajima hit .297 with 16 homers and 100 RBIs this season for the Lions, captaining the team. He played at the 2008 Olympics and attracted attention in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, when he batted .364 with six walks and six RBIs in seven games as Japan won the title. He had a pair of RBI doubles when Japan eliminated the United States in the semifinals.

New York says it would have room for both Nakajima and Eduardo Nunez as reserve

[RickD]

Hopefully he can make the transition to playing in the US and in New York City specifically!

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Hopefully he can make the transition to playing in the US and in New York City specifically!

That's what I thought. When you take Jojima for example. He did well IMO, but he could not get accustomed to life in the US (at least for what I have read).

[yankeebiscuitfan]

According to the sporting news, the Yankees and Hiroyuki Nakajima still have to overcome a big gap in their contract negotiations.

The negotiation window closes Tuesday. When the two can't come together, Nakajima will play the 2012 season in Japan.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

The Yankees failed to reach an agreement with shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima. Nakajima will now play the 2012 season for his Japanese club Seibu Lions.

[OutfieldGrass]

I wonder if they were ever really interested in locking him up or if it was to block another team from signing him? I have a tough time seeing why they would bid then end up so far away in contract talks....

[yankeebiscuitfan]

The Yankees themselves were surprised that they won the betting. From the beginning they said that he would be a backup infielder. Nothing more. Maybe that was a reason for him not to sign.

[winningbaseball]

If indeed it was a ploy by the Yankees, it was a good one. the same can be said of the Rangers if they do not sign Darvish.

[OutfieldGrass]

The Yankees themselves were surprised that they won the betting. From the beginning they said that he would be a backup infielder. Nothing more. Maybe that was a reason for him not to sign.

That makes even more sense. Sure wish the M's had won the bidding though.

[runningshoes]

I know you can't call it collusion, but it reeks of something not right.