Marc Hulet over at Baseball Analysts has a fun post about a hypothetical expansion team skimming the minor leagues to cobble together a pitching staff. I think we could do the same here for guys that should come play in Asia. Of course some players are more suited to play in Asia than others — and on that topic, I wonder how much teams from the NPB, KBO and CPBL take that into consideration.

One of the guys on Hulet’s list is Kei Igawa (recently the subject of a harsh callup/immediate send down by the Yankees) who for our own guys that should come play in Asia (GWSCPIA) purposes would simply be coming home.

Kei Igawais a veteran of seven seasons in Japan’s top league and really needs to get out of New York. He is not an overly expensive player, either, considering the Yankees have already paid out the $26 million to negotiate a contract with him. The expansion team would be on the hook for $4 million a year through 2011 but the marketing possibilities should outweigh that cost. Igawa has consistently put up solid Triple-A numbers, including 8.56 K/9.

Agreed. I think Igawa needs another shot in a smaller market — the Padres were rumored to want him last year. That might work. He’s also got Ron Flores of the Cardinals on the list. Flores has been great in spots, but sometimes struggles to throw strikes. That was always the knock on Brad Thomas who is now the closer for Hanwha in Korea.

I would have put Tom Shearn on this list as well had he not already been signed by Samsung. I covered his struggles in my recent KBO Rankings. John Koronka was recently signed by Orix– he wouldn’t be welcome on my team, frankly. So so control, not great stuff. Plus, all his MLB time came with the Rangers, whose starting staff is perennially made up of Triple-A and even Double-A level talent.

Another guy I’ve liked for a long time is Toronto’s John Parrish, who’s actually had too good a year (10-1, 2.57 K/BB) and is now with the big club. Anyone out there have some ideas we’re missing here?