Posted on 01/22/2004 7:43:31 PM PST by altair
NEW YORK (AP) While Kazuhiro Sasaki is leaving the major leagues, Shingo Takatsu is joining.
Shingo Takatsu, seen here pitching for the Yakult Swallows last April, is set to join the Chicago White Sox. Japan's career-saves leader agreed to a single-year, $1 million contract with the American League team.
Japan's career saves leader agreed Wednesday to a $1 million, one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox.
The deal, which includes a team option for 2005, is expected to be announced Friday, a baseball source said on condition of anonymity. The agreement is contingent on Takatsu passing a physical, the source said.
Takatsu was traveling Wednesday to Chicago, a baseball official said, also on the condition of anonymity.
White Sox general manager Ken Williams wasn't available for comment. One of the sources said Chicago was the only major league team to offer a closer's role, with the others proposing Takatsu become a setup man.
Takatsu has 260 career saves, passing Sasaki last year for the No. 1 spot in Japan history. Sasaki told the Seattle Mariners this week that he won't return this season, wanting to stay with his family in Japan.
He has topped the 30-save mark four times, including a career-high 37 in 2001.
Last season, Takatsu had a Central League-high 34 saves for the Yakult Swallows. The 34-year-old is nicknamed "Mr. Zero" because he's never given up an earned run in the Japan Series. The Swallows have won four titles, and Takatsu has been on the mound when they've clinched each of them.
The White Sox already have one closer in Billy Koch, who they traded for in December 2002. Koch was the AL's top reliever in 2002, saving a career-high 44 games for Oakland. But he struggled in Chicago, losing his closer's job to Tom Gordon in early July.
Across town, the Cubs agreed to a one-year contract with Ryan Dempster that includes a team option for 2005, a deal that guarantees him $500,000.
The Associated Press
Hideo Nomo is giving back to the system that allowed him to become one of the best pitchers on either side of the Pacific.
The 35-year-old Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, who has tossed two no-hitters in his major league career, now has his own baseball team to go along with his long list of achievements.
The Nomo Baseball Club will be based in Nomo's hometown of Osaka and will begin play this spring in Japan's semiprofessional league.
KOBE (Kyodo) Leon Lee, who was demoted to batting coach for the Orix BlueWave after being fired as manager, has decided not to come back to Japan this season for personal reasons, officials of the Pacific League club said Thursday.
Lee, who is currently in the United States, requested to be let go and received permission to do so after BlueWave president Takashi Koizumi said he understands Americans put more priority on family matters than baseball.
Lee is scheduled to visit club officials to finalize matters next Wednesday.
The Japan Times: Jan. 23, 2004
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BlueWave president Takashi Koizumi said he understands Americans put more priority on family matters than baseball.
Whatever.
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