According to a report from the NPB Tracker, courtesy of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs are one of eight teams "pursuing former Dodgers closer Takashi Saito." The right-handed reliever will turn 40 on February 14 and had a solid year for the Red Sox in 2009. Takashi Saito was 3-3 in 56 games with two saves and two blown saves last season.
Takashi Saito gave up 50 hits and 25 walks (with 52 strikeouts) in 55 2/3 innings for a 1.35 WHIP and a .295 BABIP in his first year in Boston. The Red Sox declined his option for 2010 worth $6 million ... Saito earned $1.5 million in 2009.
The Red Sox are interested in re-signing him at a lower price ... and the White Sox, Braves and Mets are also interested in the veteran reliever.
According to the Tribune, Saito would give the Cubs another option at closer behind Carlos Marmol.
Takashi Saito's Page on Fangraphs
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Just what we need...a 40 year old late inning guy. Again, I guess we have no-one in our farm system to fill such a role.
Aaron, your analogy to the Bears was spot-on today. Two embarrassing franchises with terrible management. Just sad to watch.
I'm also a bit disturbed over the thought process of potentially extending Derrick Lee's contract. Yes, he had a wonderful 2009, but as age continues to creep on him, I really believe we'd be better served moving Ramirez to 1B in 2011 and start the commitment process to Vitters.
I'd also move Z now, and go get a young, low-priced Buchholz, and then use the saved $$$'s for a more dramatic, high profile move.
Neil, I also appreciate your commentary on Wellington Castillo. With that, perhaps move Soto and get something of quality back (though certainly while we wouldn't be selling high, he's just one year off from the ROY).
Let's get younger, more athletic and hungrier. Final thought, I'm coming to the point that the Cubs should go to Bradley and tell him he won't be traded...and that either he gets his act together (on multiple fronts) or he can sit in the right field bleachers all season and enjoy the view (with pay)...with Hendry by his side.
If you call Boston and offer Zambrano for Buchholz, Boston will hang up the phone laughing ... in fact, I can't think of a single player on the Cubs major or minor league rosters that Boston would accept in a one for one deal for Buchholz. Really shows the sorry state of the Cubs righ now ...
I'm with you...why the hell do we need another 40 year, old guy?
Agreed. The only near 40-year old that needs to be on this team in 2010 is Henry Blanco.
if he can mentor the young guys while puting up stats even close to his mlb career average i would take him in a heart beat for the right price.
From MLBTRADERUMORS.com: Career stats:In 245.1 innings over four seasons in Los Angeles and Boston, Saito's ERA is a minuscule 2.01.
With 83 career saves
Saito posted a 2.43 ERA in 55.2 IP for the Red Sox last year, in what was maybe his least effective MLB campaign.
What the hell? First off, you have committed to Marmol. What does it do to his confidence right from the start if you sign someone to be ready for him to fail?
If we have to make a change from Marmol, I would certainly hope it is not to a 40 year old who isn't really all that. We could stay in house and slide the anticipated set up man Angel Guzman into the role, or go out and trade for a solid closer during the season.
i dont know if you were replying to me but it seems like he would be a better and cheaper option to set up with effectiveness than Grabow. It was never my intention to have him closing instead of marmol or guzman but god forbid something happens to marmol and Guzman I would rather have Saito closing than Grabow. Grabow is too wild to close in my opinion.
Id take him... Hes been great in the MLB (career era of 2.05, last year was 2.43) ya hes 40 and that sucks but he was great at 39 and 38 so I see know reason why he cant be solid at 40...besides I would rather see him settin up than Grabow... Realistically though, its not gonna happen anyways so its all good
Sure, he'll come over here and fail. He'll be another diasappointment.