Hideki Okajima Rumors

Red Sox Notes: Hoyer, Ellsbury, Okajima

Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald shares a few of his thoughts about the Red Sox hot stove. Here are some highlights: With Jed Hoyer taking the reins as the Padres' GM and Kevin Towers having been offered a position in Boston, Silverman thinks Adrian Gonzalez trade talks will restart in the offseason. Given how well Hoyer knows the Red Sox farm system, talks could progress faster than they have in the past. Silverman says, though, that Hoyer's history with Boston doesn't necessarily mean a trade will happen. He points to former Epstein assistant and current Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes,...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Parker, Okajima, Kikuchi, La Russa

Links for Thursday... Bad news for D'Backs fans: top prospect Jarrod Parker is headed for Tommy John surgery. Reynolds Sports Management broke the news via their Twitter feed, check it out. Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima has dismissed agent Peter Greenberg in favor of Boston-based Joe Rosen, according to a Japanese report passed along by NPB Tracker's Ryo Shinkawa. Shinkawa takes this as a sign Okajima wants to stay with the Red Sox. He is already under team control through 2012 as an arbitration-eligible player. Yusei Kikuchi's NPB-vs.-MLB decision seems to be coming within a few days, says Patrick Newman...   Continue Reading

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Red Sox Contract Notes: Okajima, Drew

According to WEEI's Alex Speier, when Hideki Okajima's 2009 vesting option triggered it also guaranteed that the reliever is under team control through 2012 if the Red Sox want him. There had been some debate about whether Okajima would become arbitration-eligible after his current contract; the answer is yes. Also, WEEI's Rob Bradford notes that J.D. Drew is entering the phase in his five-year contract where certain injury situations would allow the Sox to void the last two years of this deal. It seems unlikely, though.   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Sheets, Moeller, Yankees

Links for Saturday... As more teams lock up lefty relievers, Jon Paul Morosi sees the Tigers as more likely to land Joe Beimel. Tom Haudricourt has heard that Ben Sheets is more likely to sign with the Rangers, who have Mike Maddux campaigning for them, than the Yankees. Peter Schmuck hears that the Orioles have signed catcher Chad Moeller to a minor league deal. Ken Davidoff writes that the Yankees shouldn't concern themselves with Andy Pettitte just yet. Dave Perkins of the Toronto Star doesn't like the Yankees' aggressive spending. Jack Curry of the New York Times writes that the...   Continue Reading

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Boston Says Okie-Dokie To Okajima in 2009

The Red Sox announced Saturday that reliever Hideki Okajima's option has officially vested for next season. Because he pitched in 115 games this season and last, the Red Sox were bound to pick up Okajima's $1.75 million option for 2009. Entering Saturday's doubleheader with Toronto, Okajima, 32, has pitched in 123 games over the past two seasons. This season he's got a 2.88 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 56.3 innings. Those are impressive numbers, though he's had a bit of a problem allowing inherited runners to score. Still, Okajima for $1.75 million is a steal — an absolute no-brainer. Other...   Continue Reading

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Filling In The Gaps On The Failed Dye Trade

A few pieces of information were revealed today on the failed three team trade that was to send Jermaine Dye to Boston. According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox would've had to surrender reliever Hideki Okajima in order to get Dye. Whether Okajima would've ended up with the White Sox or the third club is unknown, but Chicago makes the most sense. Okajima has been absurdly good this year - he's allowed five earned runs in 51.2 innings. The unexpected huge success of he and Takashi Saito should cause MLB teams to sign every Japanese reliever..   Continue Reading

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Red Sox Sign Okajima

Many of you have emailed me with the news that the Red Sox have signed a LOOGY, 30 year-old Hideki Okajima from Japan. It is a two-year deal with an option for 2009. The Boston Herald says that while he does not throw hard, his curve is nasty. Looks like he'll rack up plenty of Ks and will be a good weapon against guys like Jason Giambi, Robinson Cano, Lyle Overbay, Johnny Damon, and Nick Markakis   Continue Reading

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