NEW YORK — The Mets beefed up their bullpen with two strikes Friday, agreeing with free brokers Shintaro Fujinami and Jake Diekman on one-year contracts.
Fujinami’s deal is for $3.35 million, an individual accustomed to the negotiations informed The Related Press. The particular person spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of the settlement was topic to a profitable bodily.
The hard-throwing right-hander can earn a further $850,000 in efficiency bonuses for video games: $100,000 for 35 and $250,000 every for 40, 55 and 60.
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Diekman’s deal can be pending a bodily, a distinct particular person accustomed to that settlement informed the AP.
Fujinami and Diekman, a veteran left-hander, are vital additions to a Mets bullpen that struggled final yr however is immediately starting to look a lot deeper underneath new president of baseball operations David Stearns. New York re-signed skilled setup man Adam Ottavino to a one-year, $4.5 million contract Tuesday, and star nearer Edwin Diaz is anticipated to be wholesome this spring after lacking final season following proper knee surgical procedure.
The reduction corps additionally consists of left-hander Brooks Raley, right-handers Drew Smith and Phil Bickford, and newcomer Jorge Lopez — an All-Star in 2022 with the Baltimore Orioles.
The 29-year-old Fujinami joins fellow Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga on the Mets. Senga went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA final season and completed second to Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll in Nationwide League Rookie of the 12 months voting.
Fujinami left the Hanshin Tigers of Japan’s Central League to signal a one-year, $3.25 million take care of the Oakland Athletics underneath which he additionally earned a $100,000 efficiency bonus.
He began 0-4 within the rotation final yr and was moved to the bullpen then made three extra begins in June. He was traded to Baltimore on July 19 and was way more efficient in brief stints as a reliever for the American League East champion Orioles, going 2-0 with a 4.85 ERA and two saves in 30 appearances.
Fujinami, who encompasses a 98-99 mph fastball, completed 7-8 total with a 7.18 ERA in seven begins and 57 reduction appearances. Management was a problem: He struck out 83 batters however walked 45 in 79 innings.
The 37-year-old Diekman went 0-2 with a 3.34 ERA in 63 reduction appearances for the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays final season. He was launched by Chicago in early Might and 4 days later signed with Tampa Bay, the place he was way more profitable the remainder of the best way, compiling a 2.18 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 45â…“ innings over 50 outings.
Diekman is 25-31 with a 3.82 ERA and 15 saves in 12 main league seasons. He additionally has pitched for Philadelphia, Texas, Arizona, Kansas Metropolis, Oakland and Boston.
The Mets additionally traded catcher Tyler Heineman to Boston for money on Friday. The Pink Sox designated right-hander Max Castillo for project. The 32-year-old Heineman hit .237 in 20 video games for Pittsburgh and Toronto final season. He was claimed by the Mets off waivers from Toronto on Dec. 1 and designated for project Tuesday to open a roster spot for Ottavino.