By Phil RogersThe NPB Tracker reports: The White Sox and Cubs are among eight teams pursuing former Dodgers closer Takashi Saito, who had a 2.43 ERA in 56 games out of Boston's bullpen last season.
Saito, 39, does make sense for both teams, assuming he can pitch as effectively next season. He'd give the Cubs a closing option behind fourth-year man Carlos Marmol, and for the White Sox could make it easier to deal arbitration-eligible Bobby Jenks. The Braves and Mets were also listed as possibilities, with four other unnamed teams reportedly in the process. Boston declined a $6 million option on Saito, who earned $1.5 million last season, but is interested in re-signing him at a lower price.
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Takashi Saito with the Red Sox. (Elsa / Getty Images)
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Too late he has been signed elsewhere, Atlanta.
sorry guys the pic won't show up i will fix it and you can see it later but try typing in the url into the web browswer
It's like the Andruw Jones signing. It will be a low risk one year signing, with the potential of a high return. Marmol did better in the last two months of the season when the Cubs had an easier schedule, but his control problems make him an unreliable option at closer right now. And other than Jenks, the White Sox have no other option for closing.
If either team gets Saito it will be a good pickup.
file:///Users/ericportell/favorite%20players/GoCards.jpg
Cubs ownership loves the cardinals too
Great...
I guess they let anyone use anyone's name on this 'Breaking News" section.
here to help,
Nada
Here we go again...Another 40 year old pitcher that we, [key word], "HOPE" can still pitch. Kenny have you ever heard of the 25 to 35 year old age demographic?
I would rather support and lose with young kids who have potential than a group of washed up players. Even If they have a miricale year, What then? We're right back where we are now this time next year.
Lets not forget that Jenks was an untested rookie In 2005. He stepped In during the middle of the pennent drive and cruised through the world series. We have other young kids with that same potential, Don't we? You keep telling us we do! So prove It!
Steve on November 30, 2009 4:47 PM
Actually it is the fact he is a vaunted reliever that is too old to live up to promise after one year...
Which I Believe Takatsu was the last vaunted relief pitcher over the age of 35 that we had that was ok for about 1 season, then flopped as a closer...
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Sorry, I didn't know if you knew or not, but I'm actually a racist and a homophobe. I always assume that if you are comparing two Chinamen to each other you must be doing it because they both have the slanty eyes. Now that you've explained yourself, I see that it is possible for two Chinamen to have something in common other than their slanty eyes and saying "Ching chang chong" to each other. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to tell some homo Cubs fans how gay they are.
Here to help,
Nada
Marmol first 3 months of 2009
3 Saves in 7 Save opportunities.
1.026 K/BB ratio and a 2.26 WHIP.
Not so good...
Marmol last 3 months of 2009
12 Saves in 12 Save opportunities...
2.0 K/BB ratio and a 1.05 WHIP.
Very good.
I'd say Marmol ironed out his control problem last year, wish more people would take a little time to look at the numbers and educate themselves...
QUOTE:"NadaSurf2009 on November 30, 2009 11:27 AM
Tip...The Nada Surf2009 (with the space between the Nada and Surf) is the GAY Nada...
Steve....What makes you think Saito is like Shingo?
Is it his eyes?"
Actually it is the fact he is a vaunted reliever that is too old to live up to promise after one year...
Which I Believe Takatsu was the last vaunted relief pitcher over the age of 35 that we had that was ok for about 1 season, then flopped as a closer...
He's 39...how many games does he have left?
WHAT ABOUT OUR MINOR LEAGUERS??????
Tip...The Nada Surf2009 (with the space between the Nada and Surf) is the GAY Nada...
Steve....What makes you think Saito is like Shingo?
Is it his eyes?
Tip...The Nada Surf2009 (with the space between the Nada and Surf) is the GAY Nada...
Steve....What makes you think Saito is like Shingo?
Is it his eyes?
The Sox should stick with Jenks. He's been consistant in the past.
I would favor giving the Cubs' closer role to Marmol, although I would worry about his control based on last year. Still, Marmol has been effective prior to 2009.
Both teams have greater needs.
We already had Saito in Takatsu, who was good for one year, then wasn't good enough to get major league hitters out...
Just stick with what we got... we still have holes to fill and I think Jenks got the message that the Org doesn't care about him...So can we please focus on another outfielder,DH, and lead off hitter please? If you are going for relief pitchers, lets keep the age under 30 please.
I think Marmol should be the Cubs current closer. He has the stuff that makes him the game closing pitcher. Sure last year he struggled, but I'm going to put the blame on the stupid World Baseball Tournament that shouldn't even be played during Spring Training. They should move those games to the Fall after the World Series, because the palyers would already be in game shape to compete in those events, not in the Spring when the players are just getting over there Winter vactions. Another proof was when Giovanni Sota struggled too who also participated in this.
Who says Saito would close with the Cubs? He hasn't closed since the end of the 2008 season and was a setup man in 2009. I think Marmol did well enough at the end of 2009 to earn the closers job going into 2010. If Saito is healthy, he would make a pretty solid set up man and give Lou several options in the late innings. And considering how wild Marmol was last season, it wouldn't hurt to have some insurance in case he loses his control again in 2010. Of course we need a leadoff hitter and a run producer, but improving on the bullpen couldn't hurt either.
frank z. on boston reliever Takashi Saito
What is Ken williams thinking about? He looks like he wants
to have an old folks home. If boston red sox taught he was
great, they would have picked up his option for 6 Mil. we have too many old and slow guys on the sox.
Why is he noted to be former Dodgers closer, when he played for Boston last year? As far as the Cubs pursuing him, my question would be, why? Are you going to allow Marmol to be the closer or not? Bringing in someone new every year doesn't help Marmol's confidence level i'm sure.
Besides, the Cubs issues are on the offensive end. If they're truly serious about improving themselves, somehow bring in a hitter, which has a great eye for the strike zone, has bat control, can hit with men on base, and most of all can deal with Cub pressure.
Typical Sox.
Going after some teams' leftovers.
Kenny is known to shell out some big money for relievers.
The Sox probably have a solid chance of getting this guy.
Gosh what will oswald do with all those youngsters on the team. He'll have to get a license for a day care center.