Contreras considering move to Japan? - MLB

According to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker, free agent Jose Contreras is considering a move to Japan.

Contreras’ 16-year-old son is hoping
to take part in an exchange program with a Japanese high school.
According to a Sanspo.com report, Contreras reached out to the Hanshin
Tigers earlier this week. Though the Tigers have likely ruled him out,
according to a team source, other teams could have interest in the
veteran right-hander.

Contreras was 6-13 with a 4.92 ERA
and 1.47 WHIP in 28 games (23 starts) between the White Sox and Rockies
in 2009. He was impressive upon his arrival in Colorado, posting a 1.59
ERA and 17/8 K/BB ratio in 17 innings. Whatever his age (he’s allegedly 37 years old, but we all know better), Contreras still has pretty strong peripherals and would likely find success in Japan.

Based on the location of his son’s
school, Newman thinks Contreras would be a good fit with the SoftBank
Hawks and Hiroshima Carp.

By the way, if you are looking for the best blog to keep up with the goings-on in Japanese baseball, bookmark NPB Tracker.

CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Nevada Senate adjourned Thursday without voting on a financing bill for a proposed $1.5 billion Las Vegas Strip stadium for the Oakland Athletics, extending the special legislative session into the next week amid negotiations over whether to contribute $380 million in public funding to the project.

The measure can still be amended by lawmakers, and if it passes the Senate it would still need approval from the Assembly before going to the desk of Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, who has expressed support for it. Both the state Senate and Assembly are adjourned until Monday.

In a hearing that began Wednesday and stretched into the early morning hours Thursday, lawmakers peppered tourism officials and a representative from a firm partnering with the ball club with questions about the feasibility and benefits of financing such a deal.

Public funds for the stadium would mainly come from $180 million in transferable tax credits and $120 million in county bonds. Backers have pledged that the creation of a special tax district around the proposed stadium would generate enough money to pay off those bonds and interest. The plan would not directly raise taxes.

The A’s would not owe property taxes for the publicly owned stadium. Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, would also contribute $25 million in credit toward infrastructure costs.

A’s representatives and some tourism officials say a deal would further grow Las Vegas’ developing sports scene and act as an economic engine, but a growing chorus of economists and some lawmakers warn that the project would bring minimal benefits for the hefty public price tag.