In another low-risk, high-reward gamble, the Red Sox have just signed free-agent reliever Takashi Saito to a one-year contract which includes a club option for 2010 according Fox Sports.
The deal was completed after Saito passed his physical on Friday. The deal includes a guaranteed base between $1.5 million and $2.5 million, and Saito will have the chance to earn more than $7 million if he reaches all of his incentives.....let's just hope those incentives are lofty (see Baldelli's incentive of reaching 600 at bats...no way).
If healthy, Saito could become a late-inning complement to closer Jonathan Papelbon. There is the natural NL to AL concern, and Saito (who turns 39 in Feb) is coming off some elbow trouble, but the upside potential is there. It is my belief that this signing allows for Justin Masterson to move into a starter role if injuries require it during the season. With that, it may allow to more easily part with either Bowden or Buchholz in order to secure a young catcher (Salty).
Apologies for the quick post..... ITM is headed to Fenway out for the baseball round table discussion....more to come from that..
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