Red Sox set to announce signing of Japanese reliever

[riverside sluggers]

Hey an actual bullpen signing!!

 

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=169775&format=&page=1

 

Hideki Okajima, a left-hander who turns 31, is close to a 2 year agreement with the Red Sox. He had a 2.14 ERA last season in 54.2 innings. He could be used at first as a set up man. He looks like he could be a good addition to the bullpen

[NateGrey]

88-91mph fb , ++ curve , +forkball , sinker ... Nice .

[riverside sluggers]

Okajima has an over the top curveball that is deadly to left-handed hitters. I see him being very valuable in series against the Yankees... including having to face his former teammate Hideki Matsui.

 

This is no kid as he has had 12 years of experience, a good signing by Boston

[jsinger121]

It's official

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2681244

[riverside sluggers]

Sweet its actually a 2 year deal with an option for a 3rd year

[elsrbueno]

good length too on a 31 year old.

 

Hopefully he becomes more than a specialist-- but at least he should get lefties out.

 

The bullpen is in sad shape right now so any move that improves that is a plus, and all this cost them was money.

[Soxfan1]

Can he close?

[mar_022]

Can he close?

 

hes only done it one year in japan (i think)...so no, he cant close on a ML team, or at least we aren't banking on it before he proves anything.

[Soxfan1]

Retorical question....

[adam123]

i have seen this guy hes really good ..he will help the pen plus hes a lefty. this should help d-mat to

[Cityofchampions33]

He seesm to be a lefty specialist, which we needed, but hopeully he can become a reliable guy out of the pen, his curbe should help get a lot of outs

[Quinny]

haha .. he used to play for the Ham Fighters!!

[ANiMAL]

I hope hes not a dissapointment cause of the change of scenery, thats the only thing i dont like about japanesse pitchers

[Beckett95]

from rotoworld

 

Hideki Okajima is guaranteed $2.5 million under the terms of the two-year deal he signed with the Red Sox on Thursday. Included is a $1.75 million option for 2009.

 

It sounds like an even better signing for Boston at that price. GM Theo Epstein said he envisions Okajima as a setup man and occasional specialist against lefty batters. The soon-to-be 31-year-old was introduced at a press conference today. "My name is Hideki Okajima, and I like Boston," he said in English before switching to an interpreter. "Call me Okaji."

[riverside sluggers]

Damn he's just owed $2.5 million over the first 2 seasons, and $1.75 if they pick up his 09 option year. Great work by the front office acquiring him, especially how low of a contract they were able to sign him to. Go Okaji!

[Ray10]

Seems like a great signing for the Sox I've never seen the guy pitch before except in the Japan All Star series in which he looked good. But looking at the stuff the guy brings to the table he looks like he will be a great pickup for the Sox. Only time will tell.

[riverside sluggers]

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061130&content_id=1748009&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos

 

Okaji will be wearing #40. His agent had said "other teams were offering more money but Boston made the ngeotiations interesting"

[BSN07]

Well we can't be mad at this deal. Theo got us a very inexpensive LHP to come out of the pen. Even if the guy is just ok, the price we got him at compared to what all the other relief pitchers are getting contract wise, this guy is a steal.

[Fried Neckbones]

I wonder if this will influence Matsuzaka at all?

[jacksonianmarch]

this guy sounds like the 2nd coming of Dae Sung Kuo who aside from ripping a triple off Randy Johnson really doesnt sound like all that great a commodity. Maybe a Mike Myers replicate, which is nice to have, so long as you have a bullpen around to sustain a 1or 2 batter a game pitcher.

 

On another note, the last premier (if you wish to call him that), reliever Joe Borowski was all set to sign with Philly. There was one problem. He failed his physical. So not only is the last FA power reliever old and not that good, he is also damaged goods. If the winter meetings passes without the sox having a closer, then they are doomed.

[TheKilo]

this guy sounds like the 2nd coming of Dae Sung Kuo who aside from ripping a triple off Randy Johnson really doesnt sound like all that great a commodity. Maybe a Mike Myers replicate, which is nice to have, so long as you have a bullpen around to sustain a 1or 2 batter a game pitcher.

 

On another note, the last premier (if you wish to call him that), reliever Joe Borowski was all set to sign with Philly. There was one problem. He failed his physical. So not only is the last FA power reliever old and not that good, he is also damaged goods. If the winter meetings passes without the sox having a closer, then they are doomed.

 

 

First of all, when pitchers like Jamie Walker get deals like 3 yrs/$12 million, this deal is excellent. Very low risk, decent reward. At the very least he will help ease Matsuzaka's transition into Boston.

 

Second, with the Sox offering Trot arb, it looks more and more like Manny is on his way out. That's where the new closer is going to come from, and hopefully the SS too.

[riverside sluggers]

First of all' date=' when pitchers like Jamie Walker get deals like 3 yrs/$12 million, this deal is excellent. Very low risk, decent reward. At the very least he will help ease Matsuzaka's transition into Boston.[/quote']

 

Exactly my thoughts. Even if he becomes a good lefty specialist, hard to argue with his "big contract of 3 years/$4.25 million

[Soxfan1]

Okajima has an over the top curveball that is deadly to left-handed hitters. I see him being very valuable in series against the Yankees... including having to face his former teammate Hideki Matsui.

 

This is no kid as he has had 12 years of experience, a good signing by Boston

[riverside sluggers]

[TheKilo]

this guy sounds like the 2nd coming of Dae Sung Kuo who aside from ripping a triple off Randy Johnson really doesnt sound like all that great a commodity. Maybe a Mike Myers replicate, which is nice to have, so long as you have a bullpen around to sustain a 1or 2 batter a game pitcher.

 

On another note, the last premier (if you wish to call him that), reliever Joe Borowski was all set to sign with Philly. There was one problem. He failed his physical. So not only is the last FA power reliever old and not that good, he is also damaged goods. If the winter meetings passes without the sox having a closer, then they are doomed.

 

 

LOL