The back-and-forth on Kelvim Escobar’s shoulder soldiers on.
First, he was fine. Then, he couldn’t grip a baseball. After that, he could throw just fine with Johan Santana. Now, he’s taking it slow and might start the season on the DL. At least, according to Jerry Manuel.
Also, since he’s in camp but still not able to throw, he’s well behind in the race for the set-up man. The likely leading candidate is Ryota Igarashi.
Update – 7:50 p.m.: According to Brian Costa, it’s a two-year deal worth $3 million.
$1.25 million in 2010, $1.75 million in 2011. There are also $50,000 bonuses for each of 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65 appearances.
The contract is a two-year deal, according to reports. No money has been announced yet.
For the inside scoop on Igarashi, click here.
Here’s the release from the Mets…
The New York Mets today announced that they signed righthanded pitcher Ryota Igarashi to a two-year contract.
Igarashi, 30, was 47-29 with 54 saves and a 3.25 ERA in 507 games for the Yakult Swallows of the Japanese Central League from 1999-2009. He recorded 630 strikeouts in 570 innings for an average of 9.95 strikeouts per nine innings.
"We've had an interest in Ryota for two years," said Mets General Manager Omar Minaya. "He's got a power arm and an outstanding split-finger."
The 5-11, 190-pound hurler went 3-2 with three saves and a 3.19 ERA in 56 games last year. In 53.2 innings, he surrendered 42 hits, 19 runs, earned, with 20 walks and 44 strikeouts.
"I have known the Mets scout in Japan, Isao O'Jimi, since I was in high school," Igarashi said through an interpreter. "When I received the Mets offer there was no doubt in my mind that this was the team I wanted to go to and start my career in the United States. I am looking forward to playing in New York and pitching in the same bullpen as Francisco Rodriguez."
Igarashi rebounded from Tommy John surgery in 2007 to post a 3-2 record with a 2.47 ERA and three saves in 44 contests the following year. He recorded 42 strikeouts in 43.2 innings.
He established a career-best 37 saves in 2004 and won a career-high 11 games in 2000. Igarashi pitched in 60-or-more games from 2002-2004.
The Mets have had nine Japanese-born players appear in at least one game. The list includes: Takashi Kashiwada (1997), Hideo Nomo (1998), Masato Yoshii (1998-1999), Satoru Komiyama (2002), Tsuyoshi Shinjo (2001, 2003), Kazuhisa Ishii (2005), Shinjo Takatsu (2005), Kazuo Matsui (2004-2006) and Ken Takahashi (2009).
According to tweets by Patrick Newman and Bart Hubbuch, the Mets have “an agreement” with Ryoto Igarashi.
Just another report in a long, long string of them.
For more on Igarashi, click here to read the original report.
Update – 9:26 p.m.: A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press the Mets and Igarashi are closing in on a two-year deal.
My head is spinning. Seriously, does anyone have a read on this?
Update – 9:00 p.m.: Head over to Fonzie Forever for a translation of the Japanese report that has the Red Sox in the lead for Igarashi.
Update – 6:40 p.m.: Adam Rubin talked to Igarashi’s agent, who said they “are in serious discussions” with the Mets.
Update – 6:33 p.m.: According to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker, a Japanese report has the Red Sox in the lead for Igarashi, as they are willing to offer a deal worth $2-3 million in total.
Original Post: According to David Waldstein in the New York Times, the Mets are close to signing a two-year deal with Japanese relief pitcher Ryoto Igarashi.
Igarashi, 30, has pitched in the Japanese Central League since 1999. He holds the joint record for fastest pitch in the JCL at 98.75, which he threw in 2004.
He has gone under the knife for Tommy John surgery, missing all of 2007, according to NPB Tracker.
“Most of those scouts projected him as an effective late-inning reliever at the major league level,” Waldstein writes.
Last season, with the Yakult Swallows, Igarashi was 3-2 with and 3.19 ERA in 56 games. Over 53 2-3 innings, Igarashi struck out 44.
According to NPB Tracker, control has been an issue for Igarashi. In 517 1-3 innings in the JCL, he’s tossed 42 wild pitches and issued 221 walks. He has struck out 586 in his career.
If signed, he could be a possible set-up man for Francisco Rodriguez.
Also, according to this site, his blood type is Type A. No, seriously.
Here’s a video of him striking out the side last season…
-According to Buster Olney, via MLBTR, free agent Joel Pineiro is likely seeking a four-year deal. Pineiro is looking at Randy Wolf’s deal from the Brewers and believe he is worth more than that.
He probably is, but how much will he suffer when he’s not under the watchful eye of Dave Duncan in St. Louis? Teams should be wary, though I like him over Jason Marquis.
-Aroldis Chapman threw a side session for teams today, but the Mets were not in attendance.
-Jon Morosi tweeted that the Mets are showing “some interest in hard-throwing reliever Ryota Igarashi.”
