Royals Going International

[love_that_reefer]

According to the Kansas City Star, the Royals "already have an agreement in place with Japanese reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta."
The newspaper suggests that "the Royals expect to confirm their signing of Yabuta within a few days." He's reportedly expected to sign a two-year deal with a club option for a third season, with the Royals apparently beating out a handful of other teams for his services.

I knew this was going to be one of the upsides to hiring Hillman as their coach and that is bringing talent from Japan home to KC. Yabuta was 4-6 last season with a 2.73 ERA and four saves in 58 games. At the World Baseball Classic before the 2006 season he attracted attention by striking out Alex Rodriguez, Derrek Lee and Johnny Damon in an outing that lasted only 1 1/3 innings. He is also 34.

[love_that_reefer]

Royals signed RHP Yasuhiko Yabuta to a two-year contract with an option for 2010.
It's believed Yabuta is guaranteed about $6 million. The 34-year-old had a 2.80 ERA and a 147/49 K/BB ratio in 174 1/3 innings over his last three seasons in Japan. He'll pitch in the seventh and eighth innings for the Royals.

Yabuta, Peralta and Soria make for a good relief core. Now they just need some offense so they have a chance to save a game.