Milwaukee Brewers plug Takashi Saito into their bullpen
The former Atlanta Braves player, Takashi Saito, has made news by signing up with the Milwaukee Brewers. The veteran reliever who had been a major player for his former club comes to a ball team that has been at the helm of a restructuring phase. The side
that has been plugging in new players since the start of December seems to be at its limit with new signings coming in.
The 40-man roster is almost closed out and ready for play. Saito signs on from the free agency on a one-year deal, valued around $2 million. Expected to be less than the figure quoted, incentives could drive the value up to around $3.2 million. The veteran
was able to collect that amount from the Braves when he turned in a good year. He posted an earning runs average of 2.83 in 56 games. The player will turn 41, on the first day of the coming season. A source was able to confirm the signing when the news spread
like wildfire in Japan.
"He pitched a lot of eighth innings for the Braves, setting up Billy Wagner, and (the Brewers) liked that about him," the source said. "He's almost a Solomon Torres-type, the kind of guy with experience in the late innings who could step in and save a game
when you have three or four save opportunities in a row. Solomon was probably a little more of a workhorse, but (Saito) has the same experience."
Saito has been a formidable player in the Major Leagues. In the last 5 seasons, he pitched an earning runs average of 2.19. Furthermore, he registered 84 saves and appeared in 292 games. The veteran joins a side that has a lot of bullpen pitchers in the
mix. The Brewers plan to shift Kameron Loe on to the seventh inning role, along with Sean Green. The team has a good number of players already and it seems there will be competition for Saito when he plays on in the coming season.
"There will be some competition," the source said.
Nevertheless, it seems the Brewers are charging up their numbers in a bid to perfect the coming season for a playoff spot. The team recently acquired the services of Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke. If one would guess it right, Milwaukee is looking to dispel
the dominance casted by St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds.
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