November 6, 2011
Kim Saito – KBYU Radio, Toyama Japan

Kim: Good evening folks, Kim Saito here with KBYU Toyama, your sports talk station.  We are in Fujisawa of the Soleil Province at a fundraiser for the Fujisawa Beach Cleaning Project.  Jim Konopka, General Manager of our Lupin Cliff Hangers has graciously agreed to an interview.   Hi Jim.  How are you doing?

Jim: Well hello, Kim.  I’m doing great tonight.  The 2011 baseball season has officially come to an end and it’s nice to have some time to focus on some other aspects of life.

Kim: I guess one of those other aspects includes your respect for our environment.

Jim: Sure.  The environment is something that is important to all of us, all over the world.  Whenever I can do something like this, for an organization like this, I feel like I’m giving a bit of a gift to my great–grandchildren.  You know, when most people think of environmentalism and ecology, they often think of the plants and the animals of the land world.  But the oceans cover more than 70% of the world’s surface area.  They involve an extremely complex ecology system with a very delicate balance.  I think this is a great project we have here.  And I’m happy to support it in any way I can.

Kim: Speaking of complex systems, the Lupin Cliff Hangers’ baseball organization comes to mind.  Although you might have a little more time after the end of the season, there still is a lot of work ahead for you up until the winter meetings and then into the preparations for the coming season.  What are the highest priorities for the Cliff Hangers during this offseason?

Jim: Well, when you look at how we performed last season, it’s no surprise to anyone that we are in a rebuilding stage.  When the current ownership took over the team, it was understood that there was a bit of work ahead in forming a competitive franchise.  Last season we had the lowest batting statistics in the division and second lowest in the league.  So there is plenty room for improvement across the board in our lineup.  Our pitching fared a bit better, but we are losing two of our regular starting pitchers.  We did our best to sign Masaharu Inoue and Orinosuke Ohara to extensions.  But both players insisted on testing their value in the free agent market.   I respect both players and their decisions, and I wish them the best with their new teams, but, I mean, that’s a terrible loss to our organization.  So we need to be aggressively addressing these holes in the starting lineup.

Kim: We have been hearing rumors about the Naha Shisa‘s José Escalante possibly coming to the Cliff Hangers.  Would you care to comment on that?

Jim: Well, I don’t want to say too much, I mean, there are still a lot of variables involved and nothing’s in writing yet.  But when we found out that the Shisa might be shopping Escalante, we definitely made sure they knew we were interested.  Overall, last season I would have to consider third base as the weakest part of the Lupin team.  We tried to find a third baseman on the free agent market last season without luck.  We brought up Sadao Kawasaki from our farm last season and it may have been a bit too early.  He played his heart out, but he didn’t display the qualities we like to see from a player that we would consider a long-term solution.  So we are definitely searching for a more veteran presence, where we can give Sadao more time in the minors, or maybe bridge the gap until we acquire a more permanent third baseman.

If you look at José, you can notice an upward trend in his batting statistics as he ages.  That is definitely something you like to see.  He is a legitimate offensive threat.  That was a rare commodity for the Cliff Hangers last season.  At times it seemed that José Aguilar was carrying the whole team on his shoulders, and that’s definitely not a situation you want to have.  There’s a good chance that Oliver Scott and Joe Johnston might be hitting the free agency market.  That would free up some room on the foreigner limit.  That means Escalante wouldn’t be restricting us too much in that way, and from what I’ve heard, José is well respected in the clubhouse.  He’s a class act and his veteran presence would be a positive influence for Lupin.  I think it would be a treat for the fans to see José Escalante in a Cliff Hangers uniform next season.  He is definitely a piece that would fit into our organization.

Kim: So you’re confirming the rumors.

Jim: No, not necessarily.  Let’s just say that I’ve had a couple of discussions with Tom Fees of the Naha Shisa.  Tom is a great guy, by the way.  I always enjoy talking to Tom.  We’re still a long way from inking a deal at this point.  Let’s just say that it is a definite option, one of the cards the Cliff Hangers have on the table for consideration right now.

Kim: Ok.  So, if there were a deal, what could Lupin offer to lure José away from the Naha Shisa?

Jim: Well it’s always good to deal away from your strengths.  One of our strengths is our bullpen.  We could take a loss there and still be able to perform well.  We could shore things up there without too much trouble, through free agency.  We also have a lot of young talent in our system.  In all reality, one must keep in mind that retirement is not too terribly far away for José.  Naha could definitely add a chip for the future with one of the young players in our organization.

Kim: I see.  So what are some of the other things you like to do in the offseason when you’re not attending fundraisers?

Jim: We spend so much time on the road during the season.  I like to take it easy at home.  Try to make up some of the lost time with my family.  I also like to get more familiar with the local goings on here in Japan.  My wife and kids always have something to show me.  They’ve had a head start in getting to know this part of the world.  It’s quite different from the United States, where I grew up.  But there’s still a lot of work and baseball activity going on.  The coaches, owners, and business folks are constantly in contact with me.  Definitely enough to keep me busy.

Kim: It’s been great talking to you, Jim.  Thank you for taking the time to be with us.

Jim: It’s been my pleasure.  And don’t forget to sample some of the wine and cheese before you go… great stuff.

Kim: Well, that’s the latest from Cliff Hanger nation here in Fujisawa.  Back to you, Greg…