"Stick" Heading To Japan

From Mark Feinsand:

In a sign that the Yankees could be involved in some overseas bidding this winter, Gene Michael was sent on a scouting mission to Japan, although it is unclear whether the Yankees have their eye on a particular player.

That Michael was sent to Japan for the first time signifies a shift for the Yankees, who have relied on their Pacific scouts for several years. Following the disastrous signing of Kei Igawa, however, the Yankees aren't taking any chances, sending one of their most trusted talent evaluators to look at potential acquisitions.

Among the potential free agents is Koji Uehara, a 33-year-old righthander who was Hideki Matsui's teammate with Yomiuri for four years before the Yankees lured Matsui to New York in 2003.

Uehara, who is 109-61 with a 2.96 ERA since making his debut in 1999, has made it known he intends to pitch in the majors next season. He spent eight seasons as one of the Giants' top starters before moving into the closer role in 2007, although he is expected to be a starter in the majors.

Two other players who could make the move from Japan to the U.S. are righthander Kenshin Kawakami, a righthanded starter, and Hitoki Iwase, a lefthanded reliever, both of whom play for the Chunichi Dragons.

Kawakami, 33, is 110-72 since 1998, while Iwase, also 33, has saved 180 games in the last five seasons for Chunichi.

After the disaster that is Kei Igawa, the Yankees needed to send somebody with a clue to Japan, and Gene Michael is that guy. With "Stick" doing the scouting I feel very confident in whatever decisions he makes.

I don't know that much about Japanese baseball, or its star players so that's really all I have to say about this. Anyone who knows a lot about these players, feel free to post any info you'd like to in the comments section.