Ichiro's ex-teammate Hasegawa fills out Seattle bullpen with one-year deal
 |
|
||||||||||||||||
In a move sure to please Ichiro, the Mariners are expected soon to announce the signing of relief pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa to a one-year contract with an option for 2003.
According to sources, the second year would be triggered if the right-hander attains performance options in his first season. Hasegawa could make about $4.5 million if he plays two years with Seattle.
Hasegawa's signing, which was finished yesterday except for formalities, completes the Mariners' bullpen. He will replace Jose Paniagua, traded to Colorado in the Jeff Cirillo deal, and join Jeff Nelson and Arthur Rhodes as a setup man in front of closer Kazu Sasaki.
In the same role in front of Anaheim Angels closer Troy Percival, Hasegawa usually worked an inning or two in his 229 relief appearances. In 442-1/3 innings overall, he allowed 436 hits, walked 170 and struck out 300.
Before joining the Angels in 1997, where he went 30-27 with a 3.85 earned-run average in five years, Hasegawa was a teammate of Ichiro, Seattle's MVP right fielder, with the Orix Blue Wave of Japan's Pacific League from 1991 to '96.
The friendship is strong between the two, who shared meals of Japanese barbecue after most games in Anaheim last season. Hasegawa and Ichiro also had an historic on-field meeting April 13. The Japanese pitcher faced a hitter from that country for the first time in major-league baseball history. Ichiro beat out an infield single to shortstop.
Hasegawa's arrival allows Seattle to let Ryan Franklin make a bid for the starting rotation in training camp. The Mariners have two possible openings for starters after letting Aaron Sele go to free agency. Joel Pineiro is penciled into one spot.
While the Mariners will look hard at Franklin, who worked effectively in the long-relief role last year, Seattle is also casting about for a veteran starter.
If the bidding does not drive the price too high, the Mariners could be interested in former Ranger Rick Helling. They might also explore signing Pedro Astacio or James Baldwin, although both are coming off arm problems, and Texas and the New York Mets are said to have enough interest in Astacio to make a bidding situation that Seattle would avoid.
The Hasegawa signing is a double benefit for Seattle in the American League West. It keeps Hasegawa from returning to the Angels, who let him go to prevent having to go to salary arbitration after failing to re-sign him after the 2001 season. It also prevents the reliever from going to Texas, which is in need of bullpen help.
The signing also will correct a miss for the Mariners four years ago. Seattle attempted to sign Hasegawa only to have the Angels out-bid them with a four-year contract.
Hasegawa at a glance
Full name: Shigetoshi Hasegawa
Ht: 5 feet 11. Wt: 178
Born: Kobe, Japan
Age: 33. Throws: right.
Personal: Wife, Erie and Shig have one child. ... Co-authored book titled "Adjustment" about adapting to baseball and life in the U.S. ... Broadcaster for Games 3 and 4 in 2000 World Series for NHK Television. ... Graduate of Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, in 1991. ... Pitched six seasons for Orix in Japan League before signing with Anaheim Angels before 1997 season.
Scouting report: Averaged over 60 games and 96 innings per season since 1997 without signs of wear. Allowed one run from July 15 until the end of August last year. Changes speeds and hits spots well, although stuff isn't overpowering. Sneaky fastball that sinks and runs, forkball, changeup and good slider keep hitters off balance. Has good pickoff move. Hasn't committed an error since rookie season.
Bob Finnigan can be reached at 206-464-8276 or bfinnigan@seattletimes.com.