Report: Hisashi Iwakuma Failed Physical
UPDATE
“Inaccurate” to say #Dodgers are out on Iwakuma, I’m told. Perhaps they’re reworking the contract?
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) December 17, 2015
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ORIGINAL
Let’s make one thing clear: I don’t know how to read Japanese. So I can’t confirm what this says, personally, but I don’t see any compelling reason to doubt the report. That report: Hisashi Iwakuma has failed his physical exam with the Dodgers, after the parties came to an agreement on a three-year contract worth $45 million.
Jiji Press reporting the Dodgers backing out from Iwakuma after failed physical. https://t.co/JJ3MMEmWxI
— Kazuto Yamazaki (@Kazuto_Yamazaki) December 17, 2015
For some context, the Mariners openly talked about how re-signing Iwakuma was Priority No. 1, and they extended to him a qualifying offer. Presumably, they’d given Iwakuma a physical of their own. But in talks, the Mariners didn’t want to go to three guaranteed years, so the Dodgers swooped in and lured Iwakuma away. Yet now it appears they see something they don’t like, something that might be more of a long-term concern. Could be Iwakuma projects well for 2016, but things get murky beyond that.
The Dodgers could now turn to Mike Leake, or Scott Kazmir. Or they could tweak the Iwakuma contract. When Matt Kemp had some physical issues discovered, that failed to scuttle his trade to the Padres. When Grant Balfour failed a physical with the Orioles, he eventually signed with another team. And when Mike Napoli had something discovered in his exam with the Red Sox, a three-year deal worth $39 million was re-worked to a one-year deal worth $5 million, with incentives. Those are basically the options, here. It reads like the Dodgers are backing away entirely, but maybe they try to offer Iwakuma a one-year deal to see if he bites.
Down the stretch last season, Iwakuma did lose a bit of velocity. Granted, he also threw a no-hitter, and his August/September/October ERA was 2.63. So, nothing caused his performance to suffer. But he missed a lot of time earlier with a strained right lat, and he had some shoulder problems back when he was pitching in Japan, so it’s not like this comes as a total surprise. Iwakuma would’ve never been described as a workhorse. There have always been some concerns about his durability, and now the Dodgers see something they wish they didn’t. Maybe Iwakuma still has three healthy years left in him, but he’ll have to prove it, and the Dodgers will have to sniff around for improvements to a rotation they already wanted to see get a bit better.
If you want to be an optimist, maybe this could turn Iwakuma into a bargain. That’s spin, though. Because it’s never good news for a pitcher to have an agreement negated because someone didn’t like what they saw in his arm. The pitcher needs the arm to pitch.
Jeff made Lookout Landing a thing, but he does not still write there about the Mariners. He does write here, sometimes about the Mariners, but usually not.
Dodgers Iwakuma reports of physical contact after the failure of the spot.
I’m sorry I started this.
Can somebody who can read Japanese please confirm what that says?
It says Dodgers backing out after a failed physical.
this is how google translate has it:
Next free agent from Major League Mariners (FA), Hisashi Iwakuma pitcher was the direction in which the Dodgers into ( 34) it is I found 17th did lead to a formal agreement . Dodgers and it had been agreed for a total of three years 45 million US dollars ( about 5.5 billion yen ) , according to the officials , the results of the physical examination , that same team has postponed the acquisition .
Major fourth year of this season , Iwakuma right latissimus dorsi the injury in April the middle from about 2 and a half months , leave the line of battle . In August in return in July to achieve the no hits scoreless match of 2nd in Japan player . Finally, 9 wins and 5 losses , leaving the performance of defense rate of 3 · 54 .
Mariners presented a one-year contract of annual salary $ 15.8 million ( about 1.9 billion 30 million yen) in November . Iwakuma had been negotiating with the Dodgers refused to this . (Rates estimated ) ( current events )
Huh?
Sounds like… such as… a Miss America speech.
This is how Google translate:
Fluent means of Premier League pomorie (OS), average Hisashi Ivakuma the direction in which the Dodgers (34) as I found 17 leads to a formal agreement. The Dodgers and was settled for a total of three years is 45 million dollars (about 5.5 billion yen), officials said test team even eliminate the purchase.
More is the fourth year this season, Ivakuma lerni trauma as large muscles in April between about 2 and a half months of street fighting. In August, to return in July to provide drift aimlessly Game 2 players in Japan. Finally, 9 wins and 5 losses, leaving the yield Defense 3 · 54th
Sailor was given a contract for one year with an annual salary of 15.8 million dollars (about $ 1.9 billion, ¥ 30 million) in November. Ivakuma negotiating with the Dodgers refused to do so. (Percentage Assessment) (Current)
Unlike Jack Z, I made sure to put in a street-fighting clause in the new contract.
I wish we called going on the DL “Leaving the Line of Battle”.
Pretty sad. Now I’m worried about my physical, don’t want to lose my shirt because of some hidden injury.
Poser.
Pooper
Sounds like a good fit… They get Iwa for cheaper and for 1 year… If he lasts all year, fantastic! If he lasts a few months, then Ryu and McCarthy should be ready to contribute around that time.
“If he lasts all year”
Isn’t that kind of the point? You don’t get to assume a full healthy year on a dude who just had his contract negated because of a bad physical.
Which, if you read the remainder of the comment…
Will Instagraphs be turning into these MLB Trade Rumors-esque posts from here on out? Or will this just be an offseason thing?
I’m guessing it’s a rumor-season thing. To cover things that are interesting but not easily front-page worthy.
Jeff lists some possible precedents here, but I’m still wondering if this situation will negatively impact the Dodgers’ ability to sign free agents in the future. Just feels a lot like a re-trade, or making a big issue of not much, when the Mariners obviously felt comfortable enough to put forward a QO.
Does anyone know if FA’s typically provide medical information to teams prior to finalizing contracts, so the physical is typically seen more as confirmation of medical records than a key step in the process?