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5 major league clubs in hunt for Yabuta
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CHIBA, Japan, Nov. 18 Kyodo
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Japanese free-agent reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta said Sunday not
only the Kansas City Royals but also four other major league clubs
have contacted him.
''In addition to the Royals, the Chicago White Sox, the
Cleveland Indians, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Pittsburgh Pirates are
interested,'' said Yabuta, who declared free agency from the Lotte
Marines earlier this month.
''I'm leaning toward getting a shot at the majors because this
many clubs rate me,'' Yabuta said after the Lotte Fan Fest at Chiba
Marine Stadium.
His comments came after a recent report on the FOX Sports
website that he is close to signing a two-year deal with an player
option for a third season with the Royals, who will be skippered by
former Nippon Ham Fighters manager Trey Hillman from next year.
The 34-year-old Yabuta, a right-handed setup man, has spent 12
years with Lotte. This past season, he went 4-6 with four saves and a
2.73 ERA in 58 games.
Also on Sunday, Masahide Kobayashi, also a free agent from
Lotte, said several major league teams have shown interest in the
33-year-old right-handed closer.
Kobayashi was 2-7 with 27 saves and a 3.61 ERA in 49 games in
2007.
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