Yasuhiko Yabuta passed his physical examination which made his two-year deal with the Royals official. SI.com is reporting that it's a $6 million deal with a $4 million club option for 2010. The Royals have a $500,000 buyout, but if Yabuta pitches in a certain number of games then the option becomes his. The 34 year-old will probably work at the back end of the bullpen, presumably replacing David Riske, although the Royals are still thought to be in the hunt for Riske as well.
Yabuta has been used primarily as a relief pitcher in the past four seasons, during which he has a 2.80 ERA. Last season he was 4-6, with a 2.73 ERA in 58 games with four saves and 38 holds. He is known for keeping his fastball down and his strikeout to walk ratio is close to 2-to-1. According to Dick Kaegel over at MLB.com, Yabuta's fastball clocks in between 88-92 mph. He also throws a change up, a slider, and a splitter against lefties.
His claim to fame came in the 2006 World Baseball Classic when he struck out A-Rod, Derrek Lee, and Johnny Damon in 1.1 innings against Team USA.
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