Read: Kobayashi, Japanese Free Agents
At MLB Trade Rumors, Tim Dierkes features a review of Japanese free agents OF Kosuke Fukudome, RHP Hiroki Kuroda and RHP Masahide Kobayashi, written by Bob Bavasi of the great JapanBall.com.
Regarding Kobayashi, Bavasi writes…
“He may be the best available reliever on the free agent market…During the recent playoffs in Japan, his manager, Bobby Valentine, noted that Kobayashi keeps ‘looking better every time out.’ True enough, and a reason I like him.”
The following clip is of Kobayashi pitching in 2005…
In the last three seasons, the 32–year-old Kobayashi struck 20 percent of the batters he has faced, while walking just four percent, during which he is 10–11.





