Hideki Okajima Requests Trade From Red Sox

After being designated for assignment a few weeks ago, it appears that the Red Sox have had enough of Hideki Okajima and Hideki Okajima enough of them.

Speaking to WEEI.com's Rob Bradford, Okajima has made it his "goal" to be traded from the Red Sox organization, as he looks to go to a team that can make better use of his services.  Prior to last night's Pawtucket game against the Norfolk Tides, Oki had this to say:

"It was very disappointing," Okajima said through translator Jeff Cutler regarding being designated for assignment. "Having experienced that, right now I'm just working hard on myself to make sure I'm pitching well so I can put myself up for a trade at some point."

To begin this rather eventful offseason, Okajima was non-tendered by the Red Sox, which came as kind of a shock to him.  However, when their biggest left-handed reliever target, Scott Downs went to the Angels on a 3-year deal, the Red Sox decided to bring back Okajima on a 1-year deal.  He came into Spring Training as one of the favorites to win the LOOGY spot in the bullpen, however eventually lost the job to Dennys Reyes and started out the year in AAA.

Okajima has been up and down from the minor leagues twice this year.  In seven appearances with the Red Sox, Okajima is 1-0 with a 4.32 ERA.  Meanwhile in Pawtucket, he is 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA.  Because of his minor league success this season, some contenders could be interested in the 35-year old lefty.