This post is a follow up to: Red Sox Make Offer to Japanese Righty Tazawa
The Boston Red Sox and Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa have come to terms on a 3-year deal worth about $3 million. Although not officially announced, the completion of a physical is the only hurdle left in the team’s way. BoSox officials hope to be able to announce the signing at this week’s end. It is reported that Tazawa received offers from the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and the Atlanta Braves. The Rangers are believed to have offered Tazawa more money than Boston, but it is clear that he prefers to take a pay cut and pitch for the Red Sox. The Boston Globe has reported that Tazawa has been signed to a major league deal, which means he has a reserved spot on the Sox’s 40-man roster. Nevertheless, team officials say he will start out in the minors.
Tazawa’s fastball has been consistently clocked in the low 90s; it is said that he has an excellent breaking ball as well as a decent changeup. Tazawa’s decision to opt out of the Japan professional league to come to the U.S. will prevent him from ever returning to Japan to pursue a baseball career on the island. Tazawa could be eligible for free agency in the fall of 2014 pending his ability to make the 25-man BoSox roster next spring.
Information from the Boston Globe and ESPN.com was used in this article.