You read this past week where the Yomiuri Giants have decided to clean house regarding their foreign players, releasing outfielder Tuffy Rhodes and pitchers Brian Sikorski, Scott Mullen and J.B. Miadich.

The dropping of Rhodes, Mullen and Miadich had been expected, but the Sikorski transaction is difficult to understand.

The workhorse middle reliever made 70 appearances in 2005, compiling a 7-1 record with a 3.29 ERA. Brian is only 31 but has already played five seasons in Japan; three (2001-2003) with the Chiba Lotte Marines and the last two with the Giants.