Reports: Diamondbacks reach 2-year deal with Yoshihisa Hirano, one of Japan's top closers
The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a two-year deal with Japanese relief pitcher Yoshihisa Hirano, according to multiple reports.
AZCentral’s Nick Piecoro has details of the deal.
Dbacks in agreement on a two-year, $6M deal with Japanese reliever Yoshihisa Hirano.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) December 22, 2017
Hirano, 34, has been one of Japan’s dominant closers in recent years, logging 143 saves with a 2.62 ERA and 9.4/2.4 strike-to-walk ratio per nine innings.
Arizona is in need of bullpen help, having lost 2017 closer Fernando Rodney to the Minnesota Twins via free agency. With no clear-cut closer on the roster, the Diamondbacks should look to Hirano to compete for the job.
Hirano was considered a true free agent thanks to his age and veteran status in Japanese baseball, leaving him exempt from the posting rules other Japanese players are required to follow.
