Liter22
05-11-2002, 11:41 PM
SEATTLE -- Seattle Mariners closer Kazuhiro Sasaki signed a two-year contract extension Saturday that takes him through the 2004 season.
Sasaki
The deal includes an option for a third year. Terms were not disclosed.
Sasaki rejoined the team Saturday, returning from a trip to Yokohama, Japan, where he went Thursday after his wife, Kaori, became ill. The right-hander was available to pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the second game of a three-game weekend series.
Sasaki, 34, was going to be eligible for free agency after this season.
"Kazu is an important part of our success the past two seasons," general manager Pat Gillick said. "In his role as closer, he is a key member of our bullpen and we are pleased to know he'll be here through at least 2004."
Sasaki, who pitched with the Yokohama Bay Stars from 1990-99 and set a Japanese record with 229 career saves, said his signing with the Mariners on the day of his return to Seattle from Japan was a coincidence.
"I knew my agent and the Mariners were talking and it was getting close," he said through an interpreter. "I found out it was ready to sign just before I came back to the United States."
He said he decided to finally sign because agent Tony Attanasio recommended that he sign.
Sasaki said his negotiations with the Mariners on his new contract began last August. He said he never had any thoughts about becoming a free agent.
"I love the city of Seattle, I love the Mariners and I love my teammates," he said. "I'm just happy I'm going to get to stay here for two more years."
The Mariners' principal owner is Japanese businessman Hiroshi Yamauchi, who also is president of Nintendo Co. Ltd.
In addition to Sasaki, the Mariners have two other players from Japan; right fielder Ichiro Suzuki and reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa. Suzuki was the AL MVP, AL Rookie of the Year and AL batting champion last season.
"I think Mr. Yamauchi has a particular interest in our Japanese players," Gillick said.
Gillick said there was only one issue in the negotiations between Sasaki and the Mariners.
"Money, just money," he said. "We would have preferred to get it done earlier. It wasn't so much the length. It was the money."
Gillick said he didn't consider giving Sasaki a contract extension a gamble.
"I think two years is about right," he said. "I think two years is a pretty good deal for the club and the player. His out pitch is a split (split-fingered fastball). Unless he gets arthritis in his fingers, he should be fine."
Manager Lou Piniella said he recommended Sasaki's signing to Gillick.
"I thought he was throwing the ball well this year and I told them so," Piniella said. "You have a lot of keys down there in your bullpen, but it all starts with your closer."
Sasaki said he watched the Mariners beat the Boston Red Sox 7-2 Friday night on television in a game that started Saturday at 11 a.m.
"I was cheering on every pitch," he said. "I was like a fan."
In 13 appearances this season, Sasaki (2-0) has not allowed an earned run and has struck out 20 and walked one. He has only given up two unearned runs in 13 2/3 innings, and he has seven saves in nine opportunities.
Sasaki pitched the final two innings and got the victory in a 5-4, 10-inning win over Toronto on Wednesday night.
He was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2000, when he set a major league rookie mark with 37 saves. In 2001, he broke his own team record and finished second in the league with 45 saves.
Sasaki
The deal includes an option for a third year. Terms were not disclosed.
Sasaki rejoined the team Saturday, returning from a trip to Yokohama, Japan, where he went Thursday after his wife, Kaori, became ill. The right-hander was available to pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the second game of a three-game weekend series.
Sasaki, 34, was going to be eligible for free agency after this season.
"Kazu is an important part of our success the past two seasons," general manager Pat Gillick said. "In his role as closer, he is a key member of our bullpen and we are pleased to know he'll be here through at least 2004."
Sasaki, who pitched with the Yokohama Bay Stars from 1990-99 and set a Japanese record with 229 career saves, said his signing with the Mariners on the day of his return to Seattle from Japan was a coincidence.
"I knew my agent and the Mariners were talking and it was getting close," he said through an interpreter. "I found out it was ready to sign just before I came back to the United States."
He said he decided to finally sign because agent Tony Attanasio recommended that he sign.
Sasaki said his negotiations with the Mariners on his new contract began last August. He said he never had any thoughts about becoming a free agent.
"I love the city of Seattle, I love the Mariners and I love my teammates," he said. "I'm just happy I'm going to get to stay here for two more years."
The Mariners' principal owner is Japanese businessman Hiroshi Yamauchi, who also is president of Nintendo Co. Ltd.
In addition to Sasaki, the Mariners have two other players from Japan; right fielder Ichiro Suzuki and reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa. Suzuki was the AL MVP, AL Rookie of the Year and AL batting champion last season.
"I think Mr. Yamauchi has a particular interest in our Japanese players," Gillick said.
Gillick said there was only one issue in the negotiations between Sasaki and the Mariners.
"Money, just money," he said. "We would have preferred to get it done earlier. It wasn't so much the length. It was the money."
Gillick said he didn't consider giving Sasaki a contract extension a gamble.
"I think two years is about right," he said. "I think two years is a pretty good deal for the club and the player. His out pitch is a split (split-fingered fastball). Unless he gets arthritis in his fingers, he should be fine."
Manager Lou Piniella said he recommended Sasaki's signing to Gillick.
"I thought he was throwing the ball well this year and I told them so," Piniella said. "You have a lot of keys down there in your bullpen, but it all starts with your closer."
Sasaki said he watched the Mariners beat the Boston Red Sox 7-2 Friday night on television in a game that started Saturday at 11 a.m.
"I was cheering on every pitch," he said. "I was like a fan."
In 13 appearances this season, Sasaki (2-0) has not allowed an earned run and has struck out 20 and walked one. He has only given up two unearned runs in 13 2/3 innings, and he has seven saves in nine opportunities.
Sasaki pitched the final two innings and got the victory in a 5-4, 10-inning win over Toronto on Wednesday night.
He was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2000, when he set a major league rookie mark with 37 saves. In 2001, he broke his own team record and finished second in the league with 45 saves.