Finally, some hot stove activity on the Mets front as Mets.com is reporting that the Mets are close to a two-year deal with Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi.
Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post says he talked to a Mets official who believes the team is going to sign Igarashi.
According to the NPB Tracker, his agent Arn Tellem was quoted as as saying,
“I think Igarashi is a member of the Mets. We’re working out the fine points of the contract.”
Although the deal is not official, there is still some major competition coming from the Red Sox who seem to have a history with Japanese players, so I don’t think the Mets signing of Igarashi is completely a done deal yet.
Igarashi is said to be capable of being a legitimate setup man in the majors. He is a power pitcher who features a mid 90s fastball.
I feel the Mets definitely need a reliever to handle the 8th inning, and to hand the ball off to Frankie Rodriguez, although it is unknown if Igarashi, a guy who has never pitched in the majors, can be that guy.
If the deal features a low annual salary (which many have reported it does), I think it would be a nice signing.
The 30 year old Igarashi was 3-2 with a 3.19 ERA in 56 games with the Yakult Swallows last season.
