出場機会が多いチームに移って欲しい。
a minor-league player earns a big-league job
この表現が気に入らない。実力がマイナーみたいに読めてしまう。
Teammates would rather not say sayonara to shortstop Munenori Kawasaki
The Jays face a dilemma when all-star shortstop Jose Reyes returns: what to do with his popular and productive replacement?
Munenori Kawasaki’s fate with the Blue Jays could become clear Sunday or Monday, but there’s no doubt the popular Japanese shortstop has left an indelible impression on his teammates and manager.
In fact, that impression may be so great, it could become permanent.
“He’s a great story,” Jays manager John Gibbons said. “We signed him and he was in spring training and no one knew much about him, but he’s doing things now that just make you feel good.”
Kawasaki has done an incredible job of replacing Jose Reyes since the all-star shortstop went down with an ankle injury in mid-April. When Reyes returns, likely within the next few days, the logical move — the Jays already have two veteran, everyday-quality middle infielders in Emilio Bonifacio and Maicer Izturis — would be to return Kawasaki to Triple-A Buffalo.
But in the two months that Kawasaki has been with the team, he’s not only produced both offensively and defensively, but has won the hearts of the fans and solidified himself as an integral part of the Jays’ turnaround.
When asked which player Kawasaki reminded him of, Gibbons replied: “Nothing comes to mind. Jose Reyes is like that, a lot of energy and positive, brings guys together . . . but there’s something different about Kawasaki.”
Kawasaki could be kept on the major-league roster should the Jays choose to reduce their bullpen to the usual seven pitchers instead of the current eight. At least three relievers have various options that could be executed to preserve Kawasaki’s major-league status.
It might be the first time a minor-league player earns a big-league job on the basis of his personality, but Kawasaki has indeed become a huge part of the Jays’ resurgence and is acknowledged in the clubhouse as a player the team cannot do without.