Man, I was just saying how hard it is to spell Yorvit Torrealba. I didn't know Yoshinori Tateyama would be signing today. It seems the Rangers are cornering the market on players with the initials Y.T.
The Rangers signed free agent Japanese right handed reliever Yoshinori Tateyama to a one-year contract, with club options for 2012 and 2013. Reports say it is a Major League deal, so I assume that means he will be put on the 40-man roster. Tateyama will turn 35 the day after Christmas, and has spent his entire career with the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan.
In 2010, the side-armer pitched in 58 games, logging 55 innings. His 1.80 ERA in set up relief was the best of a career that dates back to 1999. He struck out 59, walked 11, gave up only three homeruns, and batters only amassed a .213 batting average against him.
He is an interesting addition to the bullpen mix for next year, considering right handers Neftali Feliz, Alexi Ogando, Darren O'Day, and Mark Lowe are already set to compete for spots in the Spring, and Frank Francisco is a strong possibility to return, too. It's also rare to have two side arm relievers from the right side, which the Rangers now have with Tateyama and O'Day. Even though he is signed to a Major League contract, he could still start off the year in the minors if he struggles or is beaten out in Spring Training.
You can never have enough pitching, and the Rangers are very good at looking at all options for bringing in talent. Just because we've never heard of this guy before today doesn't mean that he can't be a big contributor in 2011. Maybe we have another Akinori Otsuka here. Or he could be another Hideki Irabu, though Tateyama isn't as fat and toad-like.
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