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Japanese players may prefer to be the 'Japanese star' on MLB teams

Transplanted Japanese phenoms are no foreign concept in baseball. Ichiro and Hideo Nomo are two of the bigger profile names, but even this season, despite hitting .229 with a .6354 OPS and getting demoted to the minors, Munenori Kawasaki was one of the most popular players in Toronto.

Masahiro Tanaka has been the darling of Japanese imports this winter, and after a prolonged soap opera in which his team begged him to stay and he told them he wanted to go to MLB, he'll likely be choosing a team next week. But what helps motivate a desire to make the change, other than the competition and money?

"Some elite Japanese players prefer to be the sole Japanese star on their North American club, major league executives say." -@Ken_Rosenthal

So Tanaka could be looking for a team with no other Japanese players. Will the Phillies' lack of international signing interest the past few years finally pay off?!

Well if that's the case... WELCOME TO PHILADELPHIA MR. TANAKA!!!