Berardino: Tonkin's Rights Sold to Japanese Team

[Doctor Wu]

How can I purchase a Nippon-Ham Fighters baseball cap? I love that name!

[Vanimal46]

It's too bad they couldn't trade Tonkin for Otani straight up

Good for Tonkin. He'll get a pay raise, and no longer have to worry about being shipped to AAA or DFA'd. 

[gunnarthor]

Nice move for all involved. Good luck to Tonkin.

[Halsey Hall]

Been there, it's ok. Tonkin will certainly be the tall man on the street. 

[sthpstm]

I thinks it a great move for him, and the Twins. How interesting that 5 teams there were interested in acquiring him. It seems like he should be very effective in that league. I'm on board with a hat purchase as well - it is a great name!

[tvagle]

 

It's too bad they couldn't trade Tonkin for Otani straight up

Good for Tonkin. He'll get a pay raise, and no longer have to worry about being shipped to AAA or DFA'd. 

 

This is just the first move that makes Falvine the leading candidates for Front Office of the Year next year

 

It's no coincidence that the Twins negotiated this deal with the Ham Fighters

 

Next you will see Vargas sold to them for 20 roundtrip tickets from MSP to HNA

 

Then Yu know what's next

 

and finally

 

Some Helpful Outsider, Happily Ending Inefficient Outcomes of a Twins Ace Near Indefinitely

[The Wise One]

Tonkin will turn 28 before the start of the next season.  He was drafted out of college. He might have 2 years of service time in. He really hasn't had a big payday at any point in his career. To earn a lifetime's money from baseball he will have to go to Japan.   It may or may not be to his liking, but you have to do what you have to do. He really does not have much for options. He could not get a spot in one of the worst bullpens in the league. He has to go to Japan or not have money.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

I think the Twins retain the rights for him to be re-rostered if he is cut from the team at any time during the run of the contract...then have to decide to re-add to 40-man or jsut cut ties. After the two seasons, Tonkin is free. Of course, if the Twins never want him abck, he is also free. So, in a sense, you stash a player with a foreign team but still retain some rights.

So he is sort of an indentured servant?

[James]

 

How can I purchase a Nippon-Ham Fighters baseball cap? I love that name!

https://shop.fighters.co.jp/shopping/

 

You don't have to stop at the hat.  They have fleece fanny packs as well!

[GP830]

I was wondering if the fact that it was the Ham Fighters was a coincidence or not, as speculated above. There's obviously now a pre-existing relationship that could prove beneficial. 

[yarnivek1972]

Gets the 40-man roster down to 33.  Gives them room to add 6 players while retaining an open spot for the Rule 5 draft.  Or will they add 7 and make another move if they want to participate in the Rule 5 draft?

 

Several other candidates to be removed when they sign a couple free agents.  Thinking of Boshers, Enns and what to do with Phil Hughes?  Or will they strengthen the club via the trade route?  

 

Will they add Seth's top 4 plus 2, or 3, of the next group of 4?  Will still be some difficult decisions while leaving a few good players exposed to the draft.

Doesn't seem likely that adding a player via rule 5 is something the Twins would try. If 2017 showed the Twins brass nothing else it is that you can't hide a rule 5 guy if you are trying to contend.

[zenser]

 

Doesn't seem likely that adding a player via rule 5 is something the Twins would try. If 2017 showed the Twins brass nothing else it is that you can't hide a rule 5 guy if you are trying to contend.

I would agree with this.  There are plenty of arms that you could just protect and add to the 40 man that would be just as capable as the guy you are trying to hide.  I am thinking along the lines of Burdi or Bard types.

[nicksaviking]

I was wondering if the fact that it was the Ham Fighters was a coincidence or not, as speculated above. There's obviously now a pre-existing relationship that could prove beneficial.

 

I mean as long as Tonkin doesn't face live batters prior to the Twins getting Otani.

 

Kidding of course. I think Tonkin will do quite well over there and be one of those returning vets that turns heads back inthe states once his Ham Fighters contract is over.

[mikelink45]

Great opportunity for Tonkin - he got a good shot here and did not make it.  He has talent and I think he will do well in Japan. 

[gil4]

 

Yeah, well ... I guess I wouldn’t move there, not even for that amount. But I didn’t know how it worked.

 

 

You wouldn't move to Japan for a couple years for $2 mill? Really only two half years.

 

 

Sign me up!  I've never been and I spend most of my 24 years in the AF avoiding PACAF (especially Korea), but they weren't offering me that kind of money.  I did manage to spend 11 years in England, Belgium, and Germany, so I'm sure I could adapt. Chicago, on the other hand... (ducking)

[Seth Stohs]

 

Tonkin will turn 28 before the start of the next season.  He was drafted out of college. He might have 2 years of service time in. He really hasn't had a big payday at any point in his career. To earn a lifetime's money from baseball he will have to go to Japan.   It may or may not be to his liking, but you have to do what you have to do. He really does not have much for options. He could not get a spot in one of the worst bullpens in the league. He has to go to Japan or not have money.

 

Tonkin was drafted out of high school. 

[USAFChief]

Not that it matters, but Tonkin will be playing for the "Fighters," not the "Ham Fighters." The team is owned by Nippon Ham.

[tvagle]

 

Not that it matters, but Tonkin will be playing for the "Fighters," not the "Ham Fighters." The team is owned by Nippon Ham.

 

AHA...makes more sense to me now...I was struggling with the images of a dude(s) fighting with a ham or a dude(s) having a fight with ham

 

 

Thanks for the clarification

[The Wise One]

 

Tonkin was drafted out of high school. 

I forgot to put that in there. It really does limit his options in life. Bless him for having the conviction that he was going to make it as a pro. He has made it, but not well enough for financial independence. He might have a good enough financial planner, but I do not think a 30 round pick gets a big bonus. I think he has at least 2 years of service time in. 

[The Wise One]

 

AHA...makes more sense to me now...I was struggling with the images of a dude(s) fighting with a ham or a dude(s) having a fight with ham

 

 

Thanks for the clarification

Maybe they were fighting over the ham as there was not enough for everyone.  The choice between Black Forrest or Virginia got ugly

[ahart10]

I wonder if this trade might get our foot in the door for Ohtani.

[ashbury]

Not that it matters, but Tonkin will be playing for the "Fighters," not the "Ham Fighters." The team is owned by Nippon Ham.

So says the US Air "Force Chief".

 

signed,

Ash bury-john

[snepp]

http://www.southernfoodways.org/app/uploads/ham-spot-1-300x192.png