Arizona Diamondbacks: Yoshihisa Hirano signed as potential closer
By Mark Brown
By signing Yoshihisa Hirano, general manager Mike Hazen of the Arizona Diamondbacks added depth to the bullpen.
Arizona Diamondbacks search for a potential closer did not last very long.
As soon as General Manager Mike Hazen of the Arizona Diamondbacks left the winter meetings last week in Orlando, he allowed his 2017 closer, Fernando Rodney, to walk.
Recognizing Rodney’s value as the 2018 Arizona closer was limited at best, Hazen seems to waste no time in securing help for the back end of his bullpen.
“(Hirano) gives us another option, especially in the back end of the bullpen. ”
According to multiple reports, the Diamondbacks have signed Japanese closer Yoshihisa Hirano to a two-year, $6 million deal — based upon passing a physical, the transaction will be final.
At 33-years-old (34 in March), Hirano gives the Arizona Diamondbacks a veteran presence and the semblance of a closer. As a former number one draft pick of the Oriz Buffaloes in 2005, Hirano spend his entire career with that team.
A starter his first three years, Hirano was moved to the bullpen for 2010 and recorded a career-high 40 saves in 2014 in 62 appearances that season.
Arizona Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen admits that Hirano caught their eye last year.
"“He has been on our radar screen since the end of last season. We scouted him extensively in Japan, and think we can help us. He has the ability to pitch at the back end of the bullpen.”"
For his 11 years with the Buffalos, the 6-1, 185-pounder recorded 156 saves in 476 relief appearances.
"“We have made inroads in our quest to improve the bullpen. We’ll still be active and once the bullpen market is defined in January. We’ll continue to look at ways in improving further.”"
With a three-quarters delivery, Hirano’s fastball reaches the mid-90s and a splitter is considered his “out pitch.”
Considered a dominant closer, and just in the years 2013-17, Hirano recorded 143 saves and a 2.62 ERA in that time frame.
Equally impressive, he recorded 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings through 271 1/3 innings.
During the recent winter meetings, Hirano’s name surfaced, and in addition to the Diamondbacks, the Cardinals, Dodgers, and Tigers were interested in his service.
Hirano joins recent acquisitions, Brad Boxberger, through a trade with the Rays, and Albert Suarez, a Rule 5 selections, as new additions to a bullpen which Hazen sought to improve.
Next: Dick Enberg: The halo goes dim on the legendary broadcaster
Along the way, the Arizona Diamondbacks said good-bye to relievers J. J. Hoover and Jorge De La Rosa, and have T. J. McFarland, Jimmie Sherfy, and Archie Bradley as a returnee. Add lefty Jared Miller to the mix and competition for bullpen jobs in spring training should be competitive.