<figure id="attachment_349550" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-349550" style="width: 2916px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="58fbad7a"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2023/12/aad26874ac566dda374c3e47ce40dbf3.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-349550" class="wp-caption-text">Tsutsuka played for the Rangers&#8217; 3A team this season, and looks slimmer than when he was with DeNA.</figcaption></figure>
<p> He appears to be on a minor league contract again.</p>
<p> On December 9, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that Yoshitomo Tsutsugo (32), now in his fifth year in the U.S., had re-signed with the Giants. He agreed to a minor league contract, although details were not disclosed. He will participate in spring training camp as an invitee, hoping to be promoted to the majors, but the reality seems to be quite grim.</p>
<p> Nachi Tomonari, a sports journalist and expert on the state of baseball in the U.S., said, &#8220;It is hopeless for him to be promoted to the majors.</p>
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<p><span class="strongInContent"> It is hopeless for him to make it to the majors. He will not get a call unless he makes a big appeal, such as hitting a home run every day in spring training. Even if Tsutsuka is promoted, he has no use. Tsutsuka can only be used at first base or DH. But with the Giants, they have regulars at both.</span></p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> There is an option to use him in the outfield, but it is too risky given Tsutsuka&#8217;s poor defensive skills. Oracle Park, home of the Giants, has a large outfield. A player who can cover a vast defensive range is needed to fill the position. There is no room for Tsutsuka to take advantage of the situation.</span></p>
<p> Tsutsuka signed a two-year contract with the Rays in the off-season of 2007, but he failed to hit in the top 10% of the batting average and was forced out of the lineup. He played for the Dodgers, Rangers, and other minor league teams, but was unable to achieve the results he wanted, and was once assigned to an independent league. Tsutsuka has struggled in the U.S., but there are some in the Japanese baseball world who would like to see him return to the U.S. &#8220;My old team, DeNA, has a first baseman.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> Soto, who plays first base for his old team DeNA, is now a free agent, so there is an open spot, and considering that he won the home run and batting titles with DeNA, they would love to have him back. The Giants, whose new manager is Shinnosuke Abe, a fellow left-handed slugger and close friend, are also said to be interested in Tsutsuka.</span></p>
<p> Even if Akinami is sent, there is no indication that Tsutsuka will return to Japanese baseball. Why does he insist on playing in the majors?</p>
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<div data-friday-nextpage-lead=" Tsutsuka&#39;s &quot;promise&quot; to his fans"></div>
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<p>In the background are Tsutsuka&#8217;s special circumstances.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> &#8216;Tsutsuka is a foolish character.&#8217; At DeNA&#8217;s Fan Appreciation Day in the off-season of 2007, he declared in high spirits, &#8220;I&#8217;m going to challenge the Majors! at DeNA&#8217;s Fan Appreciation Day in the off-season of &#8217;19. Tsutsuka considers his words to be a promise to his fans, and he will not return until he fulfills it.</span></p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> He also feels strongly that he has not been able to play satisfactorily for the past four seasons since coming to the United States. He would like to play a full year and feel that he has &#8220;made it. He does not want to return to Japan in a half-hearted way.</span></p>
<p> Will Tsutsuka be able to break out of his difficult situation and fulfill his promise to the fans to make it to the major leagues? The cannonballer, who hit 205 homers in Japan, will be entering his fifth season in the United States.</p>
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 AP/Afro

 Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, in his fifth year in the U.S., has been signed to a minor league contract again. His lack of defensive ability and other factors make his promotion to the majors hopeless. There are some in the Japanese baseball world who would like to see him return, but ....... Why does Tsutsuka refuse to accept an offer from Japan and insist on playing in the U.S.?

Minor league contract in his fifth year in the U.S.: Yoshitomo Tsutsugo&#8217;s &#8220;special circumstances&#8221; that prevent him from returning to Japanese baseball &#8220;even if it is hopeless to promote him to the majors.

Minor league contract in his fifth year in the U.S.: Yoshitomo Tsutsugo’s “special circumstances” that prevent him from returning to Japanese baseball “even if it is hopeless to promote him to the majors.

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