Following the 2010 season, Japanese starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma was posted, and the Oakland A’s submitted a high bid of $19.1 million. The two sides couldn’t reach an agreement, though, and Iwakuma remained in Japan.
Hisashi Iwakuma Inks One-Year Deal With Mariners
Following the 2011 season, Iwakuma became a free agent. He expressed a preference for signing with the Seattle Mariners, and on Thursday, a signing was announced. The Mariners have inked Iwakuma to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million, with $3.4 million available in potential incentives.
Iwakuma missed time with a shoulder injury in 2011, which presumably knocked down his price. But though he lost a little velocity, he came back and pitched well, and he still throws his fastball in the 87-91 mile-per-hour range with an assortment of offspeed weapons. If things go right, he could be the new Hiroki Kuroda. If things do not go right, he could be terrible, but it’s not like the Mariners have made a big commitment.
Iwakuma’s 30 and right-handed, by the way. This is what he’s done:
| Year | GS | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | IBB | SO | HBP | BF | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 3.40 | 16 | 90.0 | 95 | 47 | 34 | 6 | 23 | 0 | 84 | 2 | 388 | 9.5 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 8.4 |
| 2008 | 1.87 | 28 | 201.2 | 161 | 48 | 42 | 3 | 36 | 1 | 159 | 4 | 787 | 7.2 | 0.1 | 1.6 | 7.1 |
| 2009 | 3.25 | 24 | 169.0 | 179 | 62 | 61 | 15 | 43 | 1 | 121 | 6 | 710 | 9.5 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 6.4 |
| 2010 | 2.82 | 28 | 201.0 | 184 | 68 | 63 | 11 | 36 | 1 | 153 | 12 | 821 | 8.2 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 6.9 |
| 2011 | 2.42 | 17 | 119.0 | 106 | 34 | 32 | 6 | 19 | 0 | 90 | 5 | 471 | 8.0 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 6.8 |
| 5 Seasons | 2.67 | 113 | 780.2 | 725 | 259 | 232 | 41 | 157 | 3 | 607 | 29 | 3177 | 8.4 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 7.0 |
He should fit into the Mariners’ rotation just behind Jason Vargas. While he’s signed at a discount, if he pitches well, he stands to make good money in 2013 and beyond. Not that $1.5 million guaranteed isn’t good money. Some people are professional athletes. Some people are professional bloggers.
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