Two important bits: First that 1.2 WAR was average production for that playing time and he's a bit above over 2018-21 which makes him still an excellent bench IF with average SS defense. So you'd think he should be able to land a solid MLB deal for $4 M or something ... except last year he had to settle for $1.5 M. If that's all MLB is willing to pay him and given the stoppage and that he's the sort of guy who will get signed last minute when things resume ... he's exactly in that position I suggested a few days ago of guys who probably should take a decent foreign offer rather than wait for a settlement.

I was kind of hoping the Twins would sign him as a 1 year stopgap.

Galvis going to Japan made me wonder about Galvis-level (meaning you would expect someone to sign them with the plan to play at least super-utility amount) or above talent going to Japan in 95 during the work stoppage. So I did a little searching and found that there were more than I remembered:

Shane Mack - probably the best player at the time. He was 31 in 95 and coming off a 4 year run of 5.0, 6.5, 1.7, and 3.9 (strike shortened) WAR totals. He was a lot better than I remember.
Julio Franco - 36 in 95. Coming off 2.2 and 3.0 (strike shortened) WAR seasons. Oldest of the group but had the longest run in MLB after returning, because Julio Franco
Pete Incavigilia - 31 in 95. Coming off a terrible 94, but 3 WAR in 93. Came back in 96 to almost full time play. Borderline Galvis-level
Darrin Jackson - 31 in 95. Coming off 4.4, 4.4, disastrous -1.5, and 2.7 (strike shortened) seasons. Also better than I remember aside from that terrible 93 season.
Kevin Mitchell. Biggest name at the time. 33 in 95. 24.7 WAR over the previous 6 seasons, including 3.7 WAR and 30 HR in strike shortened 94.

I wonder if we’ll see more of the current free agent crop take a year in Japan. Guys like Villar, Starlin Castro, Kyle Seaver, and Cutch seem to fit the bill. Heck, Kris Bryant’s profile isn’t that far off from Mack or Mitchell. Castellanos and Conforto are in the same range too, though the last 3 would be a big surprise since they either opted out or turned down a qualifying offer.

Here’s hoping both sides work this out so there’s more interesting things to talk about.

Oh, and don’t you hate pants?

Shane Mack - probably the best player at the time.

I lean towards Maddux but it's close.

I don't know if he's even good enough right now, but Gregory Polanco seems like a guy who should go play in the NPB or KBO.

I don't know if he's even good enough right now, but Gregory Polanco seems like a guy who should go play in the NPB or KBO.

He's probably too young for NKOTB

I wonder if we’ll see more of the current free agent crop take a year in Japan. Guys like Villar, Starlin Castro, Kyle Seaver, and Cutch seem to fit the bill.

There was an article a year or two ago about how Japanese teams were changing gears and going for younger guys in their prime rather than "name" guys over the hill due to some bad experiences with older guys. OTOH, Adam Jones found work there.

The other issue is that the Japanese and Korean leagues have limits on how many foreign-born players each team can have. So it's kind of impossible for more of the current FAs to go there, although it is possible for a higher caliber of player to be the ones going.

Yes, fringe players go every year, and there are limits to how many can go. 95 saw an influx of much higher quality than usual go, even Galvis is higher quality than usual going. I was just speculating on whether more free agents of Galvis quality or higher will make the move rather than wait out the stoppage.

Good call, JJ1986.

@hgomez27

Gregory Polanco is very close to reaching an agreement in the Japanese Baseball League. Pending physical, per
@TenchyRodNYC
.