Red Sox Features On wbztv.com
Dec 4, 2008 1:59 pm US/Eastern
Red Sox Sign Pitcher Junichi Tazawa
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Japan's starting picter Junichi Tazawa pitches during the 37th Baseball World Cup in Taichung, central Taiwan, 09 November 2007.
SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images
The Red Sox have landed another Japanese pitcher, completing their contract with right-hander
Junichi Tazawa.
The 22-year-old Tazawa spurned professional teams in Japan to pursue a major league career in the United States. Boston planned a Thursday news conference at Fenway Park to announce the deal.
WBZ's Dan Roche reported on Monday that team had agreed to terms with Tazawa on what is expected to be about a $3 million deal.
Tazawa is expected to begin next season in the minors for the Red Sox, who already have Japanese pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima. After winning the 2007 World Series, Boston advanced to Game 7 of the AL championship series this year before losing to Tampa Bay.
Other teams thought to be interested in Tazawa included the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and Atlanta Braves.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Red Sox Opening Day Roster
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