FULL COUNT: Sakata returns to SJ; A’s ponder Nakajima

Rakuten Eagles ace and 30 consecutive game winner Masahiro Tanaka had until 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 24 to announce which of the five MLB teams that have bids in for his services he intended to sign with. Reports and ramblings had put the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, […]

FULL COUNT: The Tanaka posting and free agency roundup

Less than two weeks into 2014, the Rakuten Golden Eagles have already granted record-setting Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka permission to sign with a major league club. His 30-day signing period ends on Jan. 24 and Rakuten is owed a $20 million posting fee from the team that signs Tanaka, and literally every MLB club has […]

FULL COUNT: Are Rex Walters and the Dons tournament bound this year?

The University of San Francisco Dons Men’s Basketball team went into winter break with a winning yet disappointing 5-4 record for head coach Rex Walters, who began the season with his deepest squad since taking the reins in 2008 and early on looked like they could be serious contenders for the West Coast Conference crown. […]

FULL COUNT: Giants, Athletics prep for spring

Spring Training begins in late-February and the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s are actively making roster changes that impact Japanese and JA players. In search of an everyday left-fielder as opposed to going with the platoon seen in 2013, the Giants wanted to trade for Norichika Aoki, but the Milwaukee Brewers dealt him to […]

FULL COUNT: Boston and Rakuten claim titles, offseason begins

This past week the Red Sox won their eighth World Series championship after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in six games, while the Rakuten Golden Eagles won their first Japan Series title after beating the Yomiuri Giants in seven games. Boston’s right fielder Shane Victorino earned his second ring — his first came with the […]

FULL COUNT: Sox, Golden Eagles close in on titles

The Boston Red Sox stand on the brink of their eighth World Series title with a 3-2 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals heading into Game 6 on Oct. 30. Right-fielder Shane Victorino returns to the starting lineup after missing Game 4 with lower back stiffness. He was available off the bench in Game 5. […]

FULL COUNT: Boston looks strong; others have uncertain future in majors

Dodgers demoted closer Brandon League was left off L.A.’s playoff roster after posting a 5.30 ERA and five blown saves in 58 regular-season appearances. The tattooed reliever has two years left on his $22.5 million deal, so he will be in Dodger blue next season, but in what role is the question. He’s got to […]

FULL COUNT: Season ends for most, handful have a shot a ring

The 2013 regular-season has ended with only a few Japanese and JA players getting a shot this post-season. It’s possible that Kurt Suzuki won’t be on Oakland’s AL Division Series roster with Stephen Vogt and Derek Norris healthy as carrying three catchers is uncommon, but the veteran did hit .303 in 15 games since returning […]

FULL COUNT: Designations, a return, and another possible import

With less than a month left in the regular season, here’s a roundup of the major league action. The San Francisco Giants have designated utility man Kensuke Tanaka for assignment and the Oakland Athletics have done the same for lefty reliever Hideki Okajima. As both players were already with their club’s Triple-A affiliates, the transaction […]

FULL COUNT: Tanaka still in the picture, Nakajima isn’t

Although Kensuke Tanaka was optioned to Fresno last month, Giants manager Bruce Bochy spoke to the media about the left fielder’s future prior to San Francisco’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 7. When asked whether Tanaka would be evaluated further at the big league level when rosters expand in Sept. Bochy said “We’ve […]