2014 Players signed (or apparently) to play overseas

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Mon Oct 28, 2013 7:19 pm

And so it begins ...

Zach Phillips has agreed to a one-year contract with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan's Central League.

Phillips was outrighted off the Marlins' 40-man roster earlier this month and opted for free agency. The 27-year-old left-hander posted a cool 2.44 ERA and 74/24 K/BB ratio in 59 innings this summer at the Triple-A level.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/5157/zach-phillips

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 8:12 am

Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star reports that Munenori Kawasaki is expected to return to Japan on a $2 million contract.

It comes after the Blue Jays officially declined Kawasaki's $1 million option for 2014, though Griffin notes that they were aware of his intentions to return to his native country. Kawasaki has a career .218/.306/.276 batting line across 157 major league games.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/488 ... i-kawasaki

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Mon Nov 11, 2013 5:28 pm

According to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker, the Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan's Pacific League have an agreement in place to acquire Luis Mendoza.

The 30-year-old right-hander is coming off a disappointing season in which he registered a 5.36 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 54/43 K/BB ratio over 94 innings between the rotation and the bullpen. It looks to be a good opportunity for him to get his career back on track.

Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star confirms that the Nippon Ham Fighters have acquired Luis Mendoza.Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker was first on the news from Japan. Mendoza, 30, posted an ugly 5.36 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 54/43 K/BB ratio in 94 innings this past summer for Kansas City. He will try to get his career back on track in Nippon Professional Baseball.

Royals released RHP Luis Mendoza.

This confirms a report that Mendoza will join the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan. The 30-year-old posted an ugly 5.36 ERA and 54/43 K/BB ratio over 94 innings this past season.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/176/luis-mendoza

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Mon Nov 11, 2013 5:29 pm

Wily Mo Pena is expected to remain in Japan next season.

Pena has drawn interest stateside, but there appear to be better offers in Japan. The 31-year-old hit 21 homers for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2012, but appeared in just 55 games this past season.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/3071/wily-mo-peña

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 6:23 am

Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors.com reports that Michael Crotta has signed a $500,000 contract with the Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan's Pacific League. A

After missing all of 2012 due to elbow issues, Crotta posted a 3.57 ERA with 44 strikeouts over 57 innings for the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate. He hasn't appeared in the majors since 2011 with the Pirates.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/6560/michael-crotta

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 6:55 pm

Nationals released INF Mauro Gomez.

The move was made at the request of Gomez, who is going to spend the 2014 season in Japan. The 29-year-old corner infielder hit .249/.322/.521 with 29 home runs and 73 RBI in 110 games this year at the Triple-A level.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/6721/mauro-gomez

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 7:00 am

According to Sanspo.com, Matt Murton has re-signed with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan's Central League for one year and $3.5 million.

Many have speculated that Murton could potentially return to MLB, but he's still getting better offers in Japan. The 32-year-old has enjoyed great success over the past four seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, including a .314/.361/.484 batting line to go along with 19 homers and 85 RBI in 143 games this past year.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/1255/matt-murton

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 7:10 am

Luis Cruz has signed a one-year contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Pacific League.

Cruz will make $750,000 in the deal. The 29-year-old enjoyed some surprising success in 2012, but he batted just .145/.190/.179 in 187 plate appearances between the Dodgers and Yankees this past season.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/4675/luis-cruz

Reds · Post by **Reds** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 8:07 am

Thanks for posting these Jim. It helps us all keep are rosters up to date.

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Sat Dec 07, 2013 3:59 am

Michael Bowden has signed a contract with the Seibu Lions of Japan's Pacific League.

Bowden revealed the news himself on Twitter. The 27-year-old right-hander holds a 4.51 ERA across parts of six major league seasons while being used almost exclusively as a reliever.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/4209/michael-bowden

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Sat Dec 07, 2013 4:03 am

Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com reports that Jorge Cantu is nearing a deal with the Doosan Bears of the Korean Baseball Organization.

Cantu spent 2013 in the Mexican League and hasn't played in the majors since 2011, when he batted just .194/.232/.285 over 57 games with the Padres. He'll turn 32 next month.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/3918/jorge-cantu

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Sat Dec 07, 2013 4:06 am

According to his agent, Eric Thames has reached an agreement to play for the NC Dinos in Korea next season.

The 26-year-old outfielder was claimed on waivers by the Astros in September after spending the entire 2013 season at Triple-A. He'll look to rebuild his value overseas.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/6534/eric-thames

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 6:36 pm

Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports that the Blue Jays are close to selling Thad Weber's rights to the NC Dinos of the Korea Baseball Organization.

His exit will clear a spot on the 40-man roster. Weber, 29, made eight appearances in the majors this year between the Blue Jays and Padres.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/7106/thad-weber

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:08 pm

FOX Sports' Jon Morosi reports that Felix Pie is nearing an agreement with the Hanwah Eagles of the Korean League.

Pie has received just 31 plate appearances in the majors over the last two seasons, so he's going to try his luck overseas. He batted .251/.325/.390 with eight homers and 38 steals at Triple-A in 2013.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/863/felix-pie

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 5:49 am

The Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball Organization signed RHP J.D. Martin.

Martin pitched all of last season with Triple-A Durham in the Rays' organization, posting a 2.75 ERA over 27 starts. The 30-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since 2010.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/523/jd-martin

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Sun Dec 15, 2013 7:25 am

Charlie Wilmoth of MLB Trade Rumors reports that Ross Wolf has exercised an out clause in his contract and will accept a deal to join the SK Wyverns in the Korean Baseball Organization.

The 31-year-old right-hander registered a 4.15 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 21/15 K/BB ratio in 47 2/3 innings for the Rangers in 2013. Rather than attempting to compete for a bullpen spot in spring training, Wolf has opted for a guaranteed job with the Wyverns.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/5242/ross-wolf

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Sun Dec 15, 2013 7:26 am

Hideki Okajima has signed to play in Japan, according to MLB Daily Dish's Chris Cotillo.

Okajima, 37, spent most of 2013 in the minors, appearing in just five games with the Athletics. Okajima was once one of the premier left-handed relievers in baseball, but he hasn't made more than seven appearances in a season since 2010.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/4865/hideki-okajima

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Sun Dec 15, 2013 7:28 am

Jairo Asencio has signed with the KIA Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization.

Asencio was believed to be headed to the White Sox on a minor league deal, but apparently that did not happen. The 30-year-old spent this past season in the Orioles' organization, allowing two earned runs in 2 1/3 innings with the big club.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/5689/jairo-asencio

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Tue Dec 17, 2013 8:21 pm

Red Sox released RHP Chris Carpenter.

They gave him his release in order to let him sign on with Japan's Yakult Swallows. Carpenter holds a 5.17 ERA and 10/17 K/BB ratio over 15 2/3 career major league innings.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/591 ... -carpenter

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Thu Dec 19, 2013 6:48 am

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that Rick VandenHurk plans to re-sign with the Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball Organization.

VandenHurk's contract with the three-time defending Korean Series winners is pending a physical. VandenHurk, your prototypical Quadruple-A hurler, pitched very well for the Pirates' Triple-A affiliate in 2012, posting a 2.92 ERA and 113/35 K/BB ratio in 123 1/3 innings of work.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/486 ... vandenhurk

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Thu Dec 19, 2013 6:49 am

Japan's Hiroshima Carp have picked up their option on Kila Ka'aihue, according to MLB Daily Dish's Chris Cotillo.

Ka'aihue was cut loose by the Diamondbacks this past June and landed in Japan. The 29-year-old may resurface with an MLB team before it's all said and done.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/952/kila-

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Thu Dec 19, 2013 6:51 am

Greg Reynolds has signed with the Seibu Lions of Japan's Pacific League, the Denver Post's Troy Renck reports.

Reynolds was a first-round pick just a few years ago in 2006, but the right-hander struggled to find success in the majors with the Rockies and Reds. The 28-year-old had a 5.52 ERA in 29 1/3 innings this past season for the Reds.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/4558/greg-reynolds

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Thu Dec 19, 2013 6:52 am

Luke Scott has agreed to a deal with SK Wyverns of the Korean Baseball Organization, a source tells Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish.

The terms of the deal weren't known. It's a bit surprising that Scott couldn't find a job with an MLB team after batting .241/.326/.415 in 253 at-bats with the Rays last season. Scott will turn 36 in June.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/12/luke-scott

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Thu Dec 19, 2013 9:21 pm

Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com reports that Brett Pill is poised to sign with Korea's Kia Tigers.

John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle was first to report that teams in Japan and Korea were interested in Pill. Baggarly says the Giants already have a deal in place to sell the first baseman's contract and are just negotiating the final terms. Pill has batted .233/.279/.404 with nine homers over parts of the last three seasons for the Giants.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/5363/brett-pill

Padres · Post by **Padres** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 4:32 pm

ESPN Deportes' Enrique Rojas reports that Yamaico Navarro is nearing an agreement with Korea's Samsung Lions.

Navarro inked a minor league deal with the Yankees last month, but they'll let him break that pact in order to pursue a better opportunity overseas. The 26-year-old is a career .206/.258/.267 hitter across parts of four big league seasons.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/587 ... co-navarro