Munenori Kawasaki had it all in Japan.

He was the star shortstop for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, and the Kagoshima native had made his eighth appearance in the NPB All-Star Game in July of 2011 and helped the Hawks win the Japan Series later that year.

Still, he traded in his superstar status in Japan for a chance — not a guarantee — to make the Seattle Mariners roster as a non-roster invitee to spring training.