Yu Darvish Rumors: Nolan Ryan Expects Darvish to Sign
By Editorial Staff
Texas Rangers owner and former pitching great Nolan Ryan told reporters yesterday that he expects his club to sign Japanese native Yu Darvish by next Wednesday’s deadline. Most indications have pointed to an eventual agreement being reached between the Rangers and Darvish, and Ryan’s comments only further cement this belief. Still, Ryan said he does expect negotiations between Darvish and the Rangers to go down to the wire.
Ryan spoke with reporters yesterday following the Owner’s Meetings in Phoenix, noting that his “expectations are that we’ll get something done” regarding the Darvish negotiations. While Ryan said the Rangers don’t general discuss ongoing negotiations publically, he did say he’s “optimistic” Texas will sign Darvish.
As far as the timing of the negotiations, Ryan said that it’s likely talks will continue right up until Wednesday evening’s deadline. The Hall of Famer noted that “that’s the nature of these things” and that the Rangers will just have to be patient and just “see how it works”.
Ryan had an opportunity to meet Darvish face-to-face during the right-hander’s visit to Texas last week. The Rangers owner was impressed with what he saw, noting that Darvish was “bigger” than he thought and “built like a pitcher”. Ryan noted that Darvish has a good attitude and that he “understands a lot of English”
As far as his pitches go, Ryan told reporters that Darvish “has a feel for the breaking ball and a good fastball”.
Usually teams have to leave room at the end of negotiations so players can be examined by doctors and finish physical exams, but the Rangers and Darvish have already gotten this step out of the way during their visit last week. This is even more of a reason to believe negotiations will go down to the wire Wednesday.
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