Ok, so Theo couldn’t deliver Mark Teixeria, but he is on top of bringing in the high-ceiling, low-cost players.
Following in the footsteps of John Smoltz, Brad Penny and Rocco Baldelli comes Takashi Saito. The replacement for Eric Gagne (when he could actually pitch) for the L.A. Dodgers is now the set-up man for Jonathan Papelbon.
Now, no one is promising that he will pitch like his last three healthy seasons where he saved 81 games with a 1.95 ERA and 245/52 K/BB ratio in 189 2/3 innings, as he is coming off an elbow injury. However, he shouldn’t be too far off because when healthy, he has been one of the top MLB closers.
Then again he is rapidly approaching his 39th birthday, and has had the injury concerns, so the choice by the Dodgers to non-tender Saito is understandable. The positive track record is enough reason for Theo to sign the Japanese reliever to join a current pitching staff that includes Dice-K, Okajima, and soon to be Juinchi Tazawa.
And the direct words from Saito himself should tell the rest of the story:
I’m very excited; obviously there is excitement playing for a new
team,…I know that obviously Daisuke and Okajima are there
right now and I’ve met them several times in the past. I also
understand that there is a lot of Japanese staff working with the team.
Atmosphere-wise, it’s going to be a very nice fit for myself. I’m just
very, very excited to be a Red Sox right now. (Source)
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
