Rays Interested In Naoyuki Uwasawa
With the Tyler Glasnow trade now finalized and Ryan Pepiot a part of the Rays’ pitching mix, the team is continuing to look for pitching help. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that “the Rays have some interest in” Naoyuki Uwasawa, whose 45-day posting window is up on January 11.
Rays Join List of Teams Interested in Naoyuki Uwasawa
After finalizing the Tyler Glasnow trade and adding Ryan Pepiot to their pitching roster, the Tampa Bay Rays are still searching for additional pitching help. According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays have expressed interest in Naoyuki Uwasawa. Uwasawa’s 45-day posting window will end on January 11, making him available for Major League signing.
Uwasawa, a right-hander from Japan, has caught the attention of several MLB teams, including the Angels, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Rangers, Reds, and Royals. Given Uwasawa's successful track record in Nippon Professional Baseball and the potential for a lower price tag, it is likely that more teams are considering pursuing him as a free agent pitcher.
During his career with Nippon Ham-Fighters from 2014 to 2023, Uwasawa maintained an impressive 3.19 ERA over 1118 1/3 innings. In 2023, he reached a career-best with a 2.96 ERA over 170 innings pitched. Uwasawa's consistent performance has earned him three NPB All-Star selections, including one in the most recent season.
Concerns Surrounding Uwasawa's MLB Transition
Despite his success in Japan, Uwasawa has faced criticism from Major League scouts due to his low strikeout rate of 19.67% and lack of velocity. In 2023, his average fastball speed was around 90.8mph. MLB teams are uncertain whether Uwasawa's pitching style will be effective against MLB hitters in the long term.
However, the Tampa Bay Rays have a reputation for helping pitchers excel or revive their careers. This makes them an attractive destination for Uwasawa as he transitions from NPB to MLB. Although the Rays have limited experience with Japanese pitchers and the posting system, they are always on the lookout for promising players who come at a reasonable cost, aligning with their budget constraints.
Considerations in Signing Uwasawa
If the Rays or any MLB team were to sign Uwasawa, they would be required to pay a posting fee to the Nippon Ham-Fighters in addition to Uwasawa's contract earnings. The posting fee structure involves 20% of the first $25 million, 17.5% of the following $25 million, and 15% of any amount exceeding $50 million. If Uwasawa does not agree to a Major League contract by the end of his posting window, he will return to the Fighters for the 2024 NPB season.
