To continue the "low-risk, high-reward" train the Red Sox have been on, they signed reliever Takashi Saito today to a 1-year/$1.5M contract:
The deal was completed after Saito passed his physical on Friday. It includes a guarantee between $1.5 million and $2.5 million, the sources said, and Saito will have the chance to earn more than $7 million if he reaches all of his incentives.
If healthy, Saito could emerge as a late-inning complement to closer Jonathan Papelbon.
The deal includes a club option for the 2010 season.
Another good deal for the Sox here. Saito missed some time due ot injury last year, but has still killed NL batters his three seasons in the majors. Saito has a career 1.95 ERA in 189.2 innings of work. He has struck out 245 in that span as well. The only concern is that he'll be 39 years old next season.