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Sunday, February 05, 2012

Brad Penny signs with Softbank Hawks

The Softbank Hawks of Japan’s Pacific League have signed former major league pitcher Brad Penny to a one-year contract.

Softbank announced the signing of free agent Penny on its website Sunday

The 33-year-old right-hander is expected to arrive in Japan on Wednesday. Financial terms of the deal were not released.

Thanks to Val.

Repoz Posted: February 05, 2012 at 09:31 AM | 16 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
  Tags: business, international, japan

Reader Comments and Retorts

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   1. Gonna break my Rusty Kuntz and run . . . Arbitol Posted: February 05, 2012 at 11:07 AM (#4053806)
Hey, beats a spring training invite from the Mets.
   2. Greg (U)K Posted: February 05, 2012 at 11:26 AM (#4053811)
Penny's only 33?
Weird, I've thought of him as washed up for years now. I guess that's pitching for you.
   3. Crispix Attacks 2: Swag Airlines Posted: February 05, 2012 at 11:55 AM (#4053817)
In related news, Mike Hessman (also 33) has returned from Japan and signed with the Astros. Dominating AAA year after year did not in this case portend a similar good performance in Japan's Pacific League.

[BB-ref has Japan stats now!]
   4. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: February 05, 2012 at 01:27 PM (#4053861)
I have to think most of his value to the Hawks will be the potential appearances of his wife.
   5. cardsfanboy Posted: February 05, 2012 at 03:03 PM (#4053905)
Penny's only 33?


Exact same thing I was thinking when I was reading this. It might be a smart deal if he thinks he has anything left in the tank, go to Japan, prove he has something, and maybe get a one or two year deal from a MLB team. He is still relatively young.
   6. JE (Jason Epstein) Posted: February 05, 2012 at 03:26 PM (#4053910)
In related news, Mike Hessman (also 33) has returned from Japan and signed with the Astros. Dominating AAA year after year did not in this case portend a similar good performance in Japan's Pacific League.

That's more evidence for Astros fans that it's darkest before the dawn.

EDIT: Hey, maybe he would have gone to Japan sooner had it not been for his short-lived engagement to Karina Smirnoff.
   7. Der_K Posted: February 05, 2012 at 06:24 PM (#4053957)
Ship has sailed on his usefulness, but Hessman really could have been useful for a few years. Got his chance before he was ready offensively and before he went from a so-so 1b w the glove to a plus 3b. Think a Kouzmanoff type.
   8. Non-Youkilidian Geometry Posted: February 05, 2012 at 11:04 PM (#4054296)
I have to think most of his value to the Hawks will be the potential appearances of his wife.

According to Wikipedia, they split back in December.
   9. Chicago Joe Posted: February 06, 2012 at 03:58 AM (#4054398)
That's more evidence for Astros fans that it's darkest before the dawn.


It is the land of the rising sun, man.
   10. DanG Posted: February 06, 2012 at 09:34 AM (#4054423)
Highest WHIP in 2011, minimum 162 IP

Rk           Player  WHIP ERA+  WAR BAbip    IP Age  Tm Lg  W  L W-L%  ERA HR OPS+  Pit  Str
1        Brad Penny 1.563   77 -0.4  .312 181.2  33 DET AL 11 11 .500 5.30 24  129 2951 1781
2    Jake Westbrook 1.533   78 -0.1  .318 183.1  33 STL NL 12  9 .571 4.66 16  125 3057 1879
3    Charlie Morton 1.532  100  2.3  .327 171.2  27 PIT NL 10 10 .500 3.83  6  110 2736 1684
4        Derek Lowe 1.508   75 -0.4  .332 187.0  38 ATL NL  9 17 .346 5.05 14  113 3226 1964
5    James McDonald 1.485   91  1.8  .306 171.0  26 PIT NL  9  9 .500 4.21 24  121 2899 1775
6      Mike Pelfrey 1.472   78  1.4  .305 193.2  27 NYM NL  7 13 .350 4.74 21  120 3210 2004 
   11. Lassus Posted: February 06, 2012 at 10:08 AM (#4054435)
Pelf makes a leaderboard!

Or, I suppose, trailerboard.
   12. zonk Posted: February 06, 2012 at 10:26 AM (#4054448)
I think Brad Penny has the straightest fastball I've ever seen from a major league pitcher. I guess once upon a time, he could throw it pretty hard (not saying I could hit or anything) -- but I don't think I could come up with a pitcher with less movement on his fastball.
   13. What did Billy Ripken have against Elroy Face? Posted: February 06, 2012 at 09:06 PM (#4055077)
Well that's convenient - at current exchange rates, he can just change his last name to "Yen."
   14. Davo Mastroianni Posted: February 06, 2012 at 10:26 PM (#4055135)
He had 3.7 K/9 last year....he was at 7 K/9 during his peak years with L.A.

Batters put up a 325/371/623 line against him after he'd thrown at least 75 pitches in games last year.
   15. Live and don't learn. That's us. Posted: February 07, 2012 at 12:10 AM (#4055204)
Yes! Now the value of my Brad Penny rookie card is destined to go through the goddamned roof!!
   16. DanG Posted: February 07, 2012 at 12:35 AM (#4055220)
He had 3.7 K/9 last year
Again, lowest rate in MLB. By far.

Rk           Player SO/9 SO/BB  WAR ERA+    IP Age  Tm Lg
1        Brad Penny 3.67  1.19 -0.4   77 181.2  33 DET AL
2       Carl Pavano 4.14  2.55  2.0   93 222.0  35 MIN AL
3      Jeff Francis 4.48  2.33  1.4   85 183.0  30 KCR AL
4      Joe Saunders 4.58  1.61  2.4  107 212.0  30 ARI NL
5      Mark Buehrle 4.78  2.42  3.7  117 205.1  32 CHW AL
6       Josh Tomlin 4.84  4.24  1.9   93 165.1  26 CLE AL
7    Bronson Arroyo 4.88  2.40 -0.5   77 199.0  34 CIN NL
8      Mike Pelfrey 4.88  1.62  1.4   78 193.2  27 NYM NL 

Had to get Pelfrey in there.

Also, lowest average Game Score:

Rk           Player GmScA SO/BB  WAR ERA+    IP Age  Tm Lg
1        Brad Penny  42.6  1.19 -0.4   77 181.2  33 DET AL
2    Fausto Carmona  45.6  1.82 -1.4   76 188.2  27 CLE AL
3      Jeff Francis  45.8  2.33  1.4   85 183.0  30 KCR AL
4      Jason Hammel  45.9  1.38  2.0   94 170.1  28 COL NL
5    Jake Westbrook  46.2  1.42 -0.1   78 183.1  33 STL NL
6        Derek Lowe  46.4  1.96 -0.4   75 187.0  38 ATL NL
7      Mike Pelfrey  46.4  1.62  1.4   78 193.2  27 NYM NL
8    Bronson Arroyo  46.4  2.40 -0.5   77 199.0  34 CIN NL 

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