For the second consecutive year Tadahito Iguchi has signed with the Phillies  late in the season. The Phils know what they’re getting with Iguchi — a fringe starter, but a great bat and/or glove off the bench. Excellent signing. Iguchi started 30 games at second base last season after Chase Utley broke his wrist and went 21-for-58 down the stretch. Charlie Manuel  obviously really likes Iguchi.

Last season Iguchi wound up with a 0.29 WPA/LI  through 156 plate appearances with the Phillies. With the White Sox he had a -0.45 through 377 PAs. That’s pretty clutch folks.

Also, I want to pass along this fun quote by Rays manager Joe Maddon, talking about Akinori Iwamura at 2B:

“You never teach anybody to throw the ball on the run as much as he does. But he throws so accurately on the run, he’s the Joe Montana of second basemen.”

I never mentioned it on here, but this 13 pitch walk  Iwamura drew versus White Sox reliever Matt Thornton was pretty incredible. It’s funny how it takes something like a 13 pitch AB for people to really stand up and appreciate a walk.

Thanks to David Chalk  or the Aki quote.