CLEVELAND (AP) - The Cleveland Indians became the latest team to tap into Japan's talented pitching pool, agreeing Tuesday to a $6.25 million, two-year contract with free-agent closer Masahide Kobayashi.
The deal for Kobayashi, who had at least 20 saves in each of the past seven seasons, includes a $3.25 million club option for 2010.
The 33-year-old reliever spent the past nine seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines, currently managed by Bobby Valentine. The right-hander is one of three pitchers in Japanese baseball history with more than 200 saves.
He will move into the back end of Cleveland's bullpen as a setup man for closer Joe Borowski, who led the AL with 45 saves last season. The Indians recently exercised Borowski's $4 million option for 2008.
"This is a guy who has extensive closing experience," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said at a news conference to introduce Kobayashi. "I view him in the upper echelon of guys who were available on the market."
Kobayashi is the first Japanese player signed by the Indians. The club has scouted him for several seasons.
Cleveland had one of the top bullpens in the AL this year, but as Shapiro has learned, injuries and ineffectiveness are two factors that can pop up on a team at any time.
"I don't think we'll ever be satisfied with our bullpen," he said. "We'll continue to work to reinforce and today was a big step."
The Indians, who took World Series champion Boston to Game 7 of the AL championship series, are hoping they can follow the success the Red Sox had in signing Japanese pitchers. Starter Daisuke Matsuzaka and reliever Hideki Okajima were instrumental in helping the Red Sox win their second Series title in four years.
Last season, Kobayashi went 2-7 with a 3.61 ERA and 27 saves in 49 appearances. He was on the disabled list in September with a minor neck injury but finished the regular season on the active roster and pitched in the playoffs.
Kobayashi relies mainly on a slider as his out pitch. His fastball has been clocked in the mid-90s (mph) and he also throws a splitter.
"We know what we're getting in terms of his stuff," said John Mirabelli, the club's director of scouting, who has seen Kobayashi pitch in person twice. "We know that his fastball is 90-95. We know what kind of a slider that it is. We know he throws strikes. We know his track record of durability. So he's less of a risk."
Kobayashi went 36-34 with a 2.79 ERA and 227 saves in 303 games for Chiba Lotte. In 2005, he led the Pacific League with 34 saves. He was a member of Japan's Olympic baseball team in 2004.
Some Japanese players have had a difficult time adjusting to the cultural change in the U.S., but Kobayashi anticipates blending into his new surroundings.
"I don't know what's going to happen but I believe I will be OK in getting along with my teammates," he said through a translator.
Kobayashi has already shown he has a sense of humor. During his first news conference, he was asked what he knows about Cleveland.
"It has a beautiful lake," he said, cracking a smile. "I am anxious to learn more about Cleveland."
Shapiro said the Indians, who have had experience in helping international players adjust to the U.S., plan to hire a full-time translator to help Kobayashi throughout the season.
Because Kobayashi was an unrestricted free agent, Cleveland did not have to pay a posting fee to Chiba Lotte to negotiate with him.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7470830**********
Not a bad price for a set up man who could turn out to be pretty good.