Tadahito Iguchi

Iguchi was just what the Phillies needed when Chase Utley broke his hand, providing error-free defense and solid offense. The move to San Diego's cavernous PETCO Park will take a toll on the 33-year-old's power numbers. He's likely to finish with a few less homers after averaging 17 in his two full seasons with the White Sox.

Iguchi followed up his "rookie" season with similar numbers in 2006, which is to be expected since he’s a seasoned veteran of eight seasons in Japan. He's not the same slugger as he was in Japan, but a .281 average, 18 home runs and 11 steals from your second baseman is a plus. He doesn't make a lot of errors in the field, but his range is below average and he turned the lowest number of double plays among second basemen with more than 130 games played. The White Sox exercised a $3.25 million option to keep him for another season and can expect similar numbers in 2007.

Iguchi's first tour of duty in North America was a success, with his 15 home runs being an especially pleasant surprise. Based on his Japanese League numbers he isn't likely to improve now that he's acclimated. Aside from the potential for a few more steals, what you see is probably what you get from a player who will turn 32 in early April.

Iguchi has been trying to secure his release from the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in Japan in an attempt to sign with an MLB team this year. He'll turn 31 in April and has long been viewed as one of Japan's best second basemen. After a career year in 2003 (.340/.438/.573, 27 HR, 42 SB, 81 BB) his production slipped a bit last season (.333/.399/.549, 24 HR, 18 SB, 47 BB) so the move across the pond might be a year too late. Still, if he makes the move, he's a better late-round pick than, say, Marco Scutaro or Desi Relaford.

You can find Iguchi's career Japanese stats through 2004 at japanesebaseball.com.

Iguchi's career stats through the 2003 season can be found on japanesebaseball.com .