Royals sign Japanese reliever
By BOB DUTTON
The Kansas City Star
The Royals officially opened their off-season shopping season Wednesday by signing Japanese reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta to a two-year contract with a club option for a third year.

Financial terms were not released, but the deal’s guaranteed value is believed to be $5-6 million. The deal comes four days before the start of baseball’s annual winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn.

“Yasuhiko has been one of the best relievers in Japan the last several years,” general manager Dayton Moore said. “He will be an important veteran arm that will help add stability to the back end of our bullpen.”

Yabuta, 34, is a 6-foot, 188-pound right-hander who spent the last 12 seasons pitching for the Chibe Lotte Marines in Japan’s Pacific League. He was 4-6 last season with a 2.73 ERA and a career-high 38 holds in 58 appearances.

The two sides reached agreement last week contingent on Yabuta passing a routine physical examination. That occurred earlier Wednesday.

The Royals now shift their attention to their two remaining off-season priorities, a power hitter and a starting pitcher, in what projects as a busy week before the winter meetings conclude Dec. 6.

Free-agent outfielder Jose Guillen became the club’s top target once Torii Hunter signed with the Angels. Their pursuit of Guillen got an apparent boost when Baltimore officials disavowed any interest since the Orioles were believed to be a prime competitor.

The Royals would prefer to solve their need for a starting pitcher by adding another Japanese veteran: Hiroki Kuroda, who is 103-89 with a 3.69 ERA over the last 11 seasons with the Hiroshima Carp of Japan’s Central League.

Competition will be fierce, and Kuroda, 32, has already expressed a preference for playing on the West Coast. That seems to position the Mariners and Dodgers as favorites, but the Diamondbacks, Mets and Cubs have also expressed interest.

Kuroda discussed the possibilities Wednesday in a meeting with his agent, Steve Hilliard, in Hiroshima

“Right now, I haven’t decided anything,” Kuroda told a Japanese newspaper. “Teams are on a line. Steve explained a lot to me, including (the) environment I am concerned about. I’ll take time to think about my future.”

The bidding on Kuroda is expected to start at $40 million over four years. Other possibilities for the Royals if he signs elsewhere: Carlos Silva, Matt Clement, Jason Jennings and Kris Benson.

The Royals project Yabuta to serve as a setup reliever to closer Joakim Soria. The signing helps fill an anticipated void created by the increasingly likely departure of free-agent David Riske.

Yabuta quickly blossomed into an effective reliever in 2004 after experiencing only moderate success as a starter through eight previous seasons. He is 18-18 with a 2.81 ERA in 222 games over the last four seasons.

The Royals continue to express interest in retaining Riske, but his value is climbing in a market starved for proven setup relievers.

The Brewers, in particular, are in dire need of bullpen help after losing Francisco Cordero and Scott Linebrink. The Yankees have also expressed a willingness to offer a three-year deal.

Riske, 31, was 1-4 with a 2.45 ERA last season in 65 games. He became a free agent after declining a player option for $2.9 million in hopes of securing a multi-year deal.

The White Sox recently set the benchmark for veteran relievers by signing Linebrink for $19 million over four years. That probably prices Riske beyond the Royals’ comfort zone, especially after landing Yabuta.

This guy needs to get a new agent.
Why would you choose the Royals over the Brewers, White Sox, and Yankees?
And who the hell is this guy? Ive never heard of him.

He got as good a deal as he could get -- especially when you consider that he's *34* years old. Also, he played for the Royal's current manager.

Hence why I posted the story it is a feel good type story Japenese player goes to the MLB to play for his old manager.