Written by Nino Colla

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The Indians have signed an outfielder!

Simmer down now, it isn't what you think.

The Tribe is going into International waters once again, jumping over to Asia to ink 18-year-old outfielder Takuya Tsuchida to a deal. He's a faster guy with athleticism who can apparantely also play second base. Perhaps he's a possible answer to the left field hole. With more room in the international spending cap, the Indians signed their second Asian player this offseason.

You remember the last time the Indians ventuerd down the Japanese path. It didn't go so well in signing Masahide Kobayashi. But he was a more established veteran who was expected to make an immediate impact. Where as the Indians have had more success with their young signings out of Asia. Currently Chun Chen is moving up the ladder and if not for an injury this past season, CC Lee might have made some sort of impact out of the bullpen. 

But let's not also forget the famed Kaz Tadano. Let's not forget, but let's just not go there.

Tsuchida joins fellow Japanese signing Naoki Hashimoto, who is a pitcher, in prospects the Indians have signed this year out of the international pool.

Other notes about Tsuchida include that he is a left-handed hitter and will be in spring training with the minor leaguers. He's very much a high school signing at this point and it will be years before he is even close to contributing, if he even makes it that far.