*Photo from Sportsnet*
In an effort to boost the team's pitching, Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels took his search to Japan. The Rangers have signed RHP Kohei Arihara to a two year, $6.2 million contract, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale. The $6.2 million does not include the posting fee the Rangers will have to pay in order to get Arihara to the States. Arihara's deal also includes an extra $50,000 in bonuses. The Rangers have confirmed the deal.
Daniels spoke about Arihara's talent in a zoom interview, saying that "Kohei is a young durable starting pitcher with a successful track record, he throws seven pitches for strikes. Our staff believes there is additional opportunities for him to continue to improve. What stood out to us in this process was his curiosity and his desire to continue to develop as a pitcher."
In 2020, with the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's pro baseball league, Arihara posted a 8-9 record with a 3.46 ERA, striking out 106 hitters in 132 2/3 innings pitched, totaling 20 games in 2020 with the Ham Fighters. In his Japanese career, Arihara has a 61-53 record with a 3.65 ERA, throwing 882 innings in 140 total appearances in his 6 Japanese seasons.
Arihara said in a statement that "I am extremely grateful for the Rangers who gave me an opportunity to play in Major League Baseball, I will continue to work hard in order for me to grow and succeed in this city. To lead into this, I will make sure to have a good offseason so that I can head into Spring Training in top condition. I am truly excited to be able to pitch in front of the Rangers fans at Globe Life Field, and I hope that you will all support me in my journey."
Rangers GM Chris Young said of the Arihara signing that "Certainly the durabilty component is a very appealing aspect of the signing, this is a pitcher who is going to come in and give us valuable quality innings. Any starting rotation needs that, we are looking forward to that and that’s our expectations in signing him."
Arihara is expected to compete for a rotation spot in Texas with the young rotation, after the Rangers traded Lance Lynn and traded Mike Minor at last year's trade deadline. Arihara, Dane Dunning, Jose Leclerc, Kolby Allard, and Jimmy Herget are all in the mix for a rotation spot, along with current top starter Kyle Gibson.
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