*Photo from Over the Monster*
Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has taken his quest to upgrade team depth overseas. The Red Sox have signed Japanese RHP Hirokazu Sawamura to a two year deal worth $3 million, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. There is also a complex, duel team and player option for the 2023 season. There are also incentives in the deal, and that, combined with the option, could max out the deal at 3 years and $7.65 million. The Red Sox have confirmed the deal.
Sawamura started off the 2020 Japan season with the Yomiuri Giants, where he struggled massively, posting an ERA over 6 in 13 games out of the bullpen. He was then sent down to the minor leagues in Japan, where he remained until a trade to the Chiba Lotte Marines. He then excelled, posting a sparkling 1.71 ERA in 22 appearances, picking up one save along the way. In two previous seasons with Yomiuri, Sawamura had 73 saves over the two years.
The Red Sox have had a wealth of success with pitchers from Japan in their recent history, with Daisuke Matsuzaka, Hideki Okajima, Junichi Tazawa, and Koji Uehara all playing big roles on championship teams with the Red Sox. They are hoping Sawamura will have similar success, whether they win a title or not.
Sawamura could become another candidate to close games for the Red Sox during spring training, thanks to his 75 career saves in Japan. The Red Sox have Matt Barnes and Adam Ottavino as two main options to close, while Sawamura could be serving as a setup man, or different high leverage reliever for manager Alex Cora to utilize. Darwinzon Hernandez and Josh Taylor also figure to be top bullpen options.
The Red Sox have had a quietly busy offseason, signing Marwin Gonzalez, Hunter Renfroe, Enrique Hernandez, Martin Perez, Matt Andriese, and Garrett Richards. They have also traded for Franchy Cordero, as well as Ottavino.
Comments
Post a Comment