Remember the 2004 ALCS when Mike Myers made Hideki Matsui look silly?
Remember it no more and experience it again in 2007. The lack of a dominant lefty reliever plagued the Red Sox all through 2006. We now have a solution in the form of 30-year old Hideki Okajima. Okajima, a lefty reliever, has agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Red Sox. Okajima was 2-2 with a 2.14 ERA and a 63/14 K/BB ratio in 2006 in the Japanese league. He also supposedly has an excellent curveball.
Okajima’s signing has been heralded by Rotoworld, as they say “He might be very good until the league begins to figure him out, at which time he could settle in as a reasonable specialist.” Okajima held lefty hitters to an average under .200 the past two years and is four years younger than Jamie Walker. An official announcement will occur later today at Fenway Park, with Okajima in attendance. It is not clear yet if Okajima will have a clause making him a free agent after two years, for if there is no clause, we can retain him for a third year at league minimum (or be arbitration eligible as a “super-two” player).
Welcome to Boston, Hideki. Now call up Daisuke Matsuzaka and tell him what a great place Beantown is.
Update: RH in the comments gives us this scouting report on Okajima from his friend, a San Francisco Giants scout.
PITCHES…
1. Fastball — low 90’s
Okajima’s fastball is an average MLB-caliber pitch. It is a heavy pitch that is difficult to hit because it has late movement away from lefthanded hitters. 20-80 scale: 60-65
2. Curveball — 70’s-80’s
Okajima’s curveball is his bread-and-butter pitch. It breaks hard and late, away from lefthanded hitters and down and in to righties. He’ll throw it on any count and he will strike-out batters by changing location with it, which he does very well. 20-80 scale: 70
3. Forkball
Okajima does not use his forkball often, but he will use it when he’s struggling with his control. He locates the pitch very well, but there are times when he does not get the necessary spin on the ball for it to break as much as he’d like it to. The pitch is very tough on righthanded batters. 20-80 scale: 55
Okajima will primarily rely on those three pitches, with the fastball and curveball being his most consistent and favorite pitches to throw. He also supposedly has a splitter, but it doesn’t have as much bite as his other pitches and is not an MLB-caliber pitch.
By the way, the Yankees supposedly also made an offer to Okajima that actually included more money than the Sox offer, but were turned down because Okajima preferred Boston, thinking that the Sox wanted him more because they placed the first offer.
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Love the signing, especially because it could help Daisuke and possibly even persuade him to come to Boston.
On the other hand, I think Matsuzaka already wanted to join, it’s Boras who’s being a Boar-A$$ and stalling the negotiations — I’m sure of it.
Still, it’s nice to see the Sox filling two holes at the same time. Okajima will be great!
Fantastic. Still need a closer…but this is a nice little move.
Does the name Sang-Hoon Lee bring back any fond memories(I know he is Korean)???
I can’t wait until hideki owns hideki
I’d feel pretty good if they could get someone at or near the Shields level of a set-up reliever and if Eric Gagne is looking good just get that done. If we had a good set-up guy, then Okajima, Timlin, Hansen/Del Carmen (one of these two, probably MDC should hopefully be effective)Tavarez I think that would be ok with Gagne at the end…if he did go down atleast there would be some depth. If they have been monitoring Gagne and feel pretty good about his health I think they would have a good shot at landing him. I think The Dodgers may be ok with Broxton and Saito (sp?)and I can’t think of too many other big market teams with a vacant closer role bigger then the Sox. I’m sure Gagne wants both money and the chance to close since his injury history is going to severely limit his salary potential in the short-term and will likely command a one year or maybe two year deal.
Gagne would be a great signing, but they’ve got to make sure he’s fine health-wise. If he is, he could be the steal of the offseason.
I would try to bring Gagne in NOW, and see how he does on the physical. If he passes without any issues, we’re all set. How does 2yrs $14M sound?
I thinks 2/$14 mil sounds good…gives Gagne a little security in case he did blow out his arm again…he collects on a 2nd year and maybe short enough for him to get one more big payday in two years if he resumes his prior effectiveness. From the Sox point I would not even be adverse to a 1 year deal if he is eager to get back on the market and has faith in his health. If they were able to secure Gagne…it makes the potential Manny deals a little easier to consider..in regards to the needs/returns.
For Gagne, I’d be happier with a 1-year, $7MM deal with incentives that could kick it up to $9-10. Then maybe a player option for 2008 at $11-13MM if he performs at a certain level…say, 65-70 IP, 30 saves, no trips to the DL. Something like that. Sure, it’s potentially more money then the 2/$14…but if he’s not the Gagne we hope for, he won’t cost more then $7MM, and if he is? Then $10MM a year for 2 years is well-worth it.
And he is Canadian…he could probably fill in on the 4th line if, god forbid, anything happens to Petr Tenkrat.
Love it. Even if Okajima fizzles out like so many relievers we’ve had in the past, this is a risk well worth taking for many reasons. *Love it.*
What kind of stuff does Okajima have?
Fastball’s got mediocre velocity, absolutely filthy curve. Also, terms of the contract have been announced: $2.5MM guaranteed for TWO YEARS, and a $1.75MM option for 2009. This is a FANTASTIC signing. Like unbelievable.
Epstein also said he expects him to be a setup man and occasional lefty-specialist. I also like the guy already; when he was introduced at today’s press conference, he said, “My name is Hideki Okajima, and I like Boston. Call me Okaji.” Sounds like a real pro.
Here’s a scouting report on Okajima from a friend of mine who is a scout for the SF Giants…
PITCHES…
1. Fastball — low 90’s
Okajima’s fastball is an average MLB-caliber pitch. It is a heavy pitch that is difficult to hit because it has late movement away from lefthanded hitters. 20-80 scale: 60-65
2. Curveball — 70’s-80’s
Okajima’s curveball is his bread-and-butter pitch. It breaks hard and late, away from lefthanded hitters and down and in to righties. He’ll throw it on any count and he will strike-out batters by changing location with it, which he does very well. 20-80 scale: 70
3. Forkball
Okajima does not use his forkball often, but he will use it when he’s struggling with his control. He locates the pitch very well, but there are times when he does not get the necessary spin on the ball for it to break as much as he’d like it to. The pitch is very tough on righthanded batters. 20-80 scale: 55
Okajima will primarily rely on those three pitches, with the fastball and curveball being his most consistent and favorite pitches to throw. He also supposedly has a splitter, but it doesn’t have as much bite as his other pitches and is not an MLB-caliber pitch.
By the way, the Yankees supposedly also made an offer to Okajima that actually included more money than the Sox offer, but were turned down because Okajima preferred Boston, thinking that the Sox wanted him more because they placed the first offer. Good choice, Hideki-san!
I’d say that answers my question. Thanks, guys.
So Evan tells us that Mr. Okajima had a great year last year, but as I look over his career stats, I see that he’s had some hit-or-miss years. The control isn’t what you’d like, but at least he’ll have the element of surprise on his side, being new to MLB.
And that’s not a lot of money, to be honest. I’d call this a pretty good move on our part.
Man, that contract is fantastic in this market. When a ROOGY like Chad Bradford is getting $10 million from the Orioles, “Okaji’s” deal looks like grand larceny. So even if he does fizzle out, he cost us peanuts. Sweet.
Major props to Theo on this deal. Now, about that *other* Japanese pitcher….
“By the way, the Yankees supposedly also made an offer to Okajima that actually included more money than the Sox offer, but were turned down because Okajima preferred Boston, thinking that the Sox wanted him more because they placed the first offer. Good choice, Hideki-san!”
Curious…where’d you read that? If that’s true I’m even happier, as irrational as that might be :). Maybe he really hated Hideki Matsui when they played together? Heh…
FoxSports Rumors reported…
“The Red Sox have come to terms on a 2 year agreement with Japanese reliever Hideki Okajima. His addition instantly bolsters one of the shakiest bullpens in baseball last season. Okajima also reportedly had offers from the Giants, Yankees, Dodgers, and Orioles, some of them more lucrative than the contract Boston gave him. Okajima reportedly preferred Boston from the start saying that ‘I like Boston’”.
I’m not sure how substantiated that rumor is, but regardless, I think we got a good reliever on the cheap (laughing hysterically at Orioles…)
Baltimore was after him? BALTIMORE? Well, at least that would have been a good pickup.
With their current run at mediocre bullpen help…think they make a play for Rich Garces?
Might as well…he’s at least as good as anyone they’ve signed…
Rudy Seanez would be a good fit there too, I think.
:-)
Also, RH, got a link?