TUESDAY, 9:07pm: Langosch tweets that the Bucs weren't able to find a trade partner for Iwamura, and thus the infielder will be optioned to Triple-A.
5:27pm: ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that the Pirates are in fact willing to eat a lot of the money owed to Iwamura in order to trade him.
4:50pm: The Associated Press reports (via ESPN) that the Pirates will actively try to trade Iwamura. They would presumably pay most of the $2.5MM remaining on his salary in any deal.
WEDNESDAY, 2:43pm: The Pirates have designated Akinori Iwamura for assignment, according to MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch (via Twitter).
With top prospect Pedro Alvarez joining the team today and Andy LaRoche sliding into a utility role, there was no room left on the roster for the underachieving Iwamura. The Pirates acquired the 31-year-old infielder from the Rays in the offseason, making him their highest-paid player. However, in 193 plate appearances for Pittsburgh this season, Iwamura hit just .182/.292/.267.
The Pirates will be on the hook for the rest of Iwamura's $4.85MM salary, less the pro-rated portion of the major league minimum if he catches on with another club.
Wow…I did not see this one coming, I figured he was making too much to risk having to outright cut him
Rays reunion?
I’m sure that he still has some talent left, but his knee must still really be hampering him. At least the Pirates did not give up much to get him. “Aki Time” is officially over.
White Sox should pick him up. Maybe it’s just Pittsburgh.
As a White Sox fan, I agree, but I doubt the front office is smart enough to do that. Aki’s been extremely unlucky this year; his .211 batting average on balls in play is absurdly low. We could send Nix down and play Aki at 3rd in a platoon with Omar. When Teahen get back, he can become a utility man.
Shame, i really figured he would shine in the NL with his hack and slash style.
As to the above possible move to the Rays.. i don’t see a spot for him really, but would like to see it, now the Rangers? Yeah and they need someone to fillin at 3B, same with the Twinkies, just wonder if that knee of his is the problem behind it all, cause the few Buc’s games i saw, he looked like a virtual statue, not the same Aki that saw the last few seasons who played a slick 2B/3B.
Maybe getting back to the AL will be a cure all and on a team that can play for something (playoff wise) and games actually have a meaning.
Real shame Boston needs Billy Hall as a B/U OF’er now, this is someone have wanted for years in Boston, he’s got the 100% perfect “wall ball” stroke from the left side and think he would fit in perfect on that team.
I liked him in the offseason when the Twins were looking for a 2B. He wouldn’t be the worst bench option for the Twins now, either, with both our SS and 2B nursing wrist injuries… He played a full season at 3B for the Rays in 07 too, which makes him quite useful.
And I know, he’s underperforming. But we trotted out a 6-7-8-9 lineup against Atlanta the other day hitting a combined .212 the other day. So anything is an improvement…
Well it was 8-9-1-2 actually, which is even worse, but yeah… point taken.
.182 average… sounds like he could be the O’s lead off hitter
I can’t stop laughing at your user name. Haahaha
Chris Resop for Iwamura?
I’d like that. Doubt it though.
I am not taking you seriously anymore.
Iwamura was a gamer for the rays . perhaps he is not fully recovered from his injury. The rays can take him back and he may improve with Tampa. How about the Dodgers. He would be perfect for them as it would cost next to nothing. McCourt does not like to spend his money on Players. Only on lawyers . It is over $20 million spent on legal fees so far in his divorce against Mrs. McCourt.
At least it’s nice to see a GM who’s willing to cut his expensive mistake and move on. But it’s hard to believe Iwamura’s done. He’s just a nice all around player and his BABIP is awfully low this year.
seattle — ichiro factor
boston — dice k factor
rays — recent history factor
twins — third base factor
angels — third base/matsui factors
Iwamura I think would do just fine in Minnesota. The Twins give him the best chance to start at 3B and if he still is not that good just use him as a INF and he’s pretty good defensively.
No one has mentioned the Mets yet? Even though they have some minor league depth at the middle infield position, maybe he is worth it just to finish out the year.
Honestly, with the way Ruben Tejada is playing (even though he’s not hitting), when Castillo comes back, they will have good MI depth with either of them off the bench, and Cora being the last IF on the bench. I don’t see how he fits with the Mets, unless he’s going to spell Wright every once in a while.