2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees Mulling Sign-and-Trade of Hiroyuki Nakajima

Usually if a Japanese player is unable to reach a deal with the club that won their negotiating rights, said player ends up returning to Japan for another season.  However, Hiroyuki Nakajima and his representation are trying to find a way around this.  The New York Yankees won the bidding for Nakajima, but it’s safe to say the club is fairly set up the middle for a next few seasons.  Rather than return to Japan, Ken Rosenthol of Fox Sports is reporting that Nakajima’s agent is talking with the Yankees about a possible sign-and-trade involving his client.

The Yankees were the surprise winners of the Nakajima bidding that ended last week.  New York won the right to negotiate with Nakajima by posting a $2.5 million bid.

After winning the bidding, the Yankees have 30 days to reach an agreement with Nakajima.  If they are unable to come to terms, the 29-year-old will be returned to his Japanese club, the Seibu Lions.  In this scenario, Nakajima wouldn’t be able to play in the majors in 2012, but he could hit the market next offseason as an unrestricted international free agent.

But, Nakajima and his agent are exploring options in which the infielder could play for a team other than the Yankees next season.  This would involve a sign-and-trade; the Yankees would sign Nakajima only to trade him to another team willing to give him a starting gig.  Rosenthol hears the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs could be interested in such a deal.

However, Rosenthol also hears that the Yankees may not want to give up Nakajima.

Many were puzzled by the Yankees move due to the presence of infielders Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano.  Nakajima certainly wouldn’t unseat any of the aforementioned stars, so why would the Yankees waste $2.5 million on him?

Apparently, New York sees Nakajima as a prime backup for all three All-Star infielders.  The Yankees believe Nakajima could be a big-time asset in 2012 and beyond, as the club is reported to love his makeup.

Rosenthol says that the Yankees could decide to enter 2012 with Nakajima and Eduardo Nunez as their bench players.  For what it’s worth, Nakajima is said to be keeping all of his options open, even the possibility of playing a reserve role in New York.

One scout that Rosenthol spoke with raved about Nakajima.  The scout said that, while Nakajima won’t “take Jeter’s place”, he is “capable of being an everyday shortstop in the big leagues”.

The same scouts projects Nakajima as a .270-.280 hitter “who will drive in runs and use his instincts to steal bases”.  In the field, the scout notes that Nakajima “lacks arm strength” but possesses “great hands” and has “very good range to his left”.

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