Karachi Off Season Movesby Hasan Khan, Sports Editor (Karachi Dawn)16 February 2105It’s been a busy, busy off season for the Karachi Falcons. Let’s look at the new faces that will be on the field this year:
Third baseman
Toshikuni Hashimoto – In what was without a doubt the biggest transaction in team history, the Falcons signed 28-year-old free agent Hashimoto to a five year deal that will pay him $15.0 million this year and $16.0 million next year. At that point Hashimoto can opt out of the rest of the contract: $17.0 million in 2107, $18.0 million in 2108, and a team option $18.0 million in 2109 with a $4.5 million buyout. He can also earn $750,000 per year should he be named hitter of the year. Hashimoto is a +12 zone-rated third baseman who can also play left or right field as well as a decent second base. He can fill in at SS or 1B in an emergency. The Falcons will count on Hashimoto to hit 35 home runs and knock in 100 while hopefully hitting around .270. He had a 6.9 WAR last season with Paris.
Tashikuni HashimotoStarting Pitcher
Fernando Cuevas – Another free agent signee, Cuevas will shore up the Karachi starting rotation, most likely as the number one starter. He will earn $4.5 million per year for five years, the final year being a team option with the usual buyout. He averages out at a 3.0 WAR for the past three years with Santo Domingo. Back in 2100 and 2101, he led his league in losses, but has been 32-26 over the past three seasons. Hopefully his 3.82 ERA last year better represents his ability than his 5.19 from the year before.
Fernando Cuevas – Free agent Etheridge signed a three year deal for $1.5 million per year with the Falcons, and he is expected to become the primary late inning set-up man for closer
Myeong-hwan Lee. The Badger switches continents after four years with Buenos Aires where he was reasonably effective as a reliever. The infield better be ready because he is rated an extreme ground ball pitcher.
Sixto Colón,
Jorge Cruz,
Johão Guioni, and
Wiyoto Susanti – Guioni signed a two-year deal while the other three have one-year contracts. While none of these guys are world beaters, all four are potential upgrades over last year’s bullpen crew.
Abramhu Manyam – Manyam is an expensive prospect for Karachi since they gave up highly respected first baseman
Moritz Segaar to get him in a trade with Santo Domingo. That deal has been highly criticized in the media since Segaar is an established player with good offensive skills including power whereas Manyam has yet to see major league pitching action save for three games last season. Manyam could develop into a decent bottom-of-rotation starter or middle inning reliever. From Karachi’s perspective, Segaar would have seen little action behind
Konosuke Sanu at first base and any upgrade in the pitching ranks made this trade acceptable while acknowledging that Santo Domingo got the better of the deal.
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