Yes I know what your thinking. You are expecting to see that the Sox have signed Daisuke Matsuzaka. Sorry to say, no they haven’t signed him yet but instead have signed Japanese pitcher and lefty specialist, Hideki Okajima.
Okajima comes to the Sox via the Nippon Ham Fighters of the Japanese League. Okajima had spent the his entire career with the New York Yankees of Japan, Yomiri Giants. Last season in Japan, Okajima had 2.14 E.R.A. and had 63/14 strikeout to walk ratio in 54 2/3 innings. Scouts say he has a major league curveball which is his out pitch.
Okajima will be the top lefty out of the Red Sox bullpen next season. Besides him and Timlin, the bullpen is not set at all. With winter meetings coming up in Florida next week, I’d expect Theo Epstein to be very active on the trade and free agent front.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
