Hisanori Takahashi

Hisanori Takahashi received a Spring Training invite from the Cubs going into the 2013 season and ended up on the Opening Day roster. After just three innings over three appearances, he was designated for assignment on April 16, 2013.

He cleared waivers/wasn’t traded or released and reported to the Triple A Iowa Cubs. There, he made 20 relief appearances where he earned a 1-0 record with a 1.98 ERA. On June 22, the Cubs traded Takahashi to the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named later or cash. 

As it turns out, there doesn’t appear to be another player involved. Baseball-reference.com has his status listed as “purchased by the Colorado Rockies” but I didn’t see anything that says when the transaction was completed. When does a team decide that the player to be named later isn’t going to materialize and settle for cash? I guess that’s why there are lawyers and contracts and what not.

Anywho, this card was sent to a helper who attended a Colorado Springs Sky Sox game last season. Takahashi has since returned to Japan to play in the NPB so I’m glad I was able to get this short-timer knocked out while he was still stateside.