Blogs

Akinori Iwamura

Second Baseman
Position
2B
Bats
L
Throws
R

Contract: Signed through 2009, club option for 2010

  • Height: 5-9
  • Weight: 176 lbs
  • Born: Feb 9, 1979

  • Debut: April 2, 2007

SEASON

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Newsbreakers

November 5, 2009

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that new Pirate second baseman Akinori Iwamura said in a conference call on Tuesday that he would be interested in exploring a long-term deal with the team. Iwamura played in only 69 games last season due to a knee injury.

Our View:

Iwamura sounded excited to be with the Pirates, but what else is he going to say? He was in a great situation in Tampa, and now he is with a perennial loser in the Pirates. He should be in line for a bounce back season, however, playing in the National League.

November 3, 2009

Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated reports that Akinori Iwamura has been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Our View:

It has not yet been reported what the Pirates are sending in return. The Rays are in cost-cutting mode, and the Pirates needed a second baseman, so this move makes sense all-around. Playing in just 69 games last season, Iwamura hit .290 with one home run, 22 RBI and nine stolen bases.

November 3, 2009

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is "hearing" that the Pirates are part of the Akinori Iwamura trade discussions.

Our View:

The Pirates had a gaping hole at second base last season after trading away Freddy Sanchez, and Iwamura and his economical $4.85 million option for 2010 would seem to be a good fit for the Bucs. Stay tuned.

November 3, 2009

The St. Petersburg Times reports that the Rays are close to finalizing a deal that would send second baseman Akinori Iwamura out of Tampa.

Our View:

The other party has not yet been identified. The Rays had no intention of picking up Iwamura's $4.85 million option for 2010, but that relatively cheap option was probably attractive to many teams looking to fill holes at second base. Stay tuned.

September 16, 2009

MLB.com is reporting that the Rays may decline the $4.25 million option on second baseman Akinori Iwamura for next season. The team can use rookie Reid Brignac or Ben Zobrist at second next season in Iwamura's place.

Our View:

The team could pay a $250,000 buyout instead of picking up the option, and Brignac and Zobrist are more than capable of handling the second base position, and this move could give the team some financial flexibility to beef up another position.

August 29, 2009

As expected, Akinori Iwamura has been activated from the DL following his recovery from a torn ACL, according to the Tampa Tribune.

Our View:

Iwamura has been out since May 24 and had surgery on June 22. He may need a few games to shake off the rust, and will have to compete with the hot-hitting Ben Zobrist for playing time at second base.

August 29, 2009

Akinori Iwamura will be activated from the DL today following his recovery from a torn ACL, according to the St. Petersburg Times.

Our View:

The Rays will be pleased to get Iwamura back, but he will have to battle Ben Zobrist for playing time at second base, as Zobrist has been swinging a hot stick.

August 28, 2009

According to MLB.com, injured Rays' second baseman Akinori Iwamura is hitting .308 with three doubles and eight walks on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham. Iwamura is trying to return to the team after tearing his ACL earlier this season.

Our View:

Skipper Joe Maddon said the Aki's next test will be to play back-to-back games at second base for Durham, and if he passes that he could be on the fast track back to Tampa. It is unclear if he will resume his everyday role with the team when he returns, but it seems likely that he would platoon at second base to make sure he stays healthy.

August 18, 2009

MLB.com is reporting that the "best-case scenario" for a return to the lineup for Rays' second baseman Akinori Iwamura is September 1. Iwamura is currently on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham.

Our View:

Aki is progressing nicely at Durham, and he is scheduled to play five innings in the field tonight. The Rays would love to get him back early in September as they battle for a playoff birth, but he will likely platoon at second base when he returns.

August 8, 2009

MLB.com is reporting that injured Rays' second baseman Akinori Iwamura is nearing a rehab assignment. Manager Joe Maddon told reporters, "I watched him take batting practice and he looked great. So Aki is coming on line," Maddon said. "We're getting close to [a rehab assignment]. I don't know exactly when but he looks pretty good."

Our View:

It sounds like Aki is going to be able to come back at some point before the season is over, and he should provide a nice lift for the third-place Rays. It remains to be seen how much he will play when he comes back, but we will continue to update his condition going forward.

July 9, 2009

The St. Petersburg Times is reporting that Rays' infielder Akinori Iwamura played catch on the field before Thursday's game. Iwamura is said to be looking good following knee surgery, and he is expected to join the Rays on their road trip following the All-Star break to begin agility drills.

Our View:

Aki is progressing very well from the sound of things, and he could still impact the team at some point in the second half. The Rays need to be smart not to push him to quickly, but Aki could be worth a pickup later in the year if he comes back strong.

June 22, 2009

Akinori Iwamura could return to the Rays in 6-8 weeks, according to DraysBay.com.

Our View:

Iwamura did not require reconstructive knee surgery, and instead underwent an arthroscopic operation to repair a partially torn ACL as well as repair the torn medial meniscus. It was previously believed that Iwamura may miss the remainder of the season. He is worth stashing in AL-only leagues.

May 25, 2009

Akinori Iwamura will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ligament in his left knee, according to the Associated Press.

Our View:

He will undergo surgery when the swelling subsides. He made five fielding errors, but was solid with his bat as he held a .310 average with 16 RBI and eight stolen bases over 44 games.

May 24, 2009

According to MLB.com, Akinori Iwamura injured his knee in a collision at second base during Sunday's game. He left the game and did not return.

Our View:

The collision looked pretty nasty and Iwamura is likely headed to the disabled list. Ben Zobrist will likely fill in at second until Iwamura is up to snuff. This is an unfortunate injury as he was having a nice day going 3-for-4 and a nice season to this point hitting .310.

May 18, 2009

Akinori Iwamura went 2-for-4 with three RBI in Monday's 13-4 win over the A's.

Our View:

Iwamura is usually getting a day or two off each week due to the emergence of Ben Zobrist, but he still represents a solid option at second base in mixed leagues. He is hitting .291 with 15 RBI, 16 runs scored, and eight stolen bases.

March 20, 2009

Akinori Iwamura went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a strikeout, and a stolen base in Japan's 6-2 win over Korea on Thursday.

Our View:

Iwamura is hitting .500 in the tournament and has shown an excellent approach at the plate. His .274 batting average led all players on the 2008 AL Champion Rays and he could challenge 100 runs scored if he bats at the top of the lineup, though if he hits toward the bottom as currently seems likely, his value will obviously be diminished.

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