Takashi Saito is now officially an ex-Dodger, agreeing to a 1-year deal with the Boston Red Sox. He'll earn anywhere between $1.5 and $2.5 million this upcoming year with an option for 2010.
So ends one of the best runs as a closer the Dodgers have ever had. In 2006 and 2007, he collected 63 saves in 142.2 IP, 1.77 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 185 K. Those are just dominating numbers for anyone, much less a guy that came out of nowhere to do it, ala Eric Gagne before him (though he had some help we later learned...).
The problem is that a sprained ligament in his pitching elbow derailed last season for him, which in effect ended his LA career. I can't blame the Dodgers for not offering him arbitration and risk overpaying him. Maybe he'll be good again, but after watching him in the playoffs in sole appearance against the Cubs, there's plenty of doubt about that.
Now he can settle in with the Red Sox and look to set up Jonathan Papelbon.
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