The Seattle Mariners have signed international free agent Hisashi Iwakuma. The Japanese right-hander’s contract includes a base salary of $1.5 million in 2012 and offers the 30-year-old the potential to earn another $3.4 million in performance bonuses next season. Iwakuma is expected to compete for a spot in the Mariners rotation.
Last season Iwakuma was posted by his Japanese club and the Oakland Athletics went on to win the bidding with a $19.1 million offer. Though they won the right to negotiate with Iwakuma, the A’s were unable to reach an agreement with the right-hander. Iwakuma returned to the free agent market this offseason free to sign with whichever team he chose.
After traveling to Seattle and meeting with Mariners executives, Iwakuma and his family reportedly fell in love with the city. After the signing, Iwakuma told reporters how it was extremely important for him to find a comfortable fit with a major league team.
The one-year deal Iwakuma reached with the Mariners caught many around the league by surprise, as last season he and the A’s were discussing a four-year contract.
Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik says the short-term deal ultimately works out for both sides. Zduriencik noted that Iwakuma would “like to establish himself in the U.S. and see what happens”. The GM also said the agreement would allow the Mariners to “talk more years” with Iwakuma if “he comes over and has the success” they expect.
Iwakuma spent that past five seasons pitching in Japan for Rakuten, posting a career ERA and WHIP of 2.67 and 1.130. Iwakuma has limited his free passes throughout his career (1.8 BB/9) while posting a SO/9 of 7.0.
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