Brewers sign Takashi Saito- 1 year/2 million; 40-man roster now full

[Matt Breen]

Source: #Brewers agree w Saito. 1 yr, chance to match last year's $3.2M salary thru appearance, roster bonuses. Physical already done.

 

http://twitter.com/Ken_Ro...atuses/19461084784099328

 

Takashi Saito was great last year. He'll be 41 years old, but has rocked.

 

Here's his 2010 stats:

 

56 games

54 innings

41 hits

17 BB

69 K

1.07 Whip

2.83 ERA

 

Edit: Added the cool transaction icon and stats.

[BREWCREW5]

Takashi Saito

 

I love it. The guy has been great the last couple of years.

[thumperden]

I certainly didn't expect them to spend money in the pen. I like the signing. Does this change Hawkins' role?

[Matt Breen]

Saito offers some nice insurance to closing if Axford falters, and the team is worried Braddock isn't quite ready for the job.

 

I am not a fan of signing old relievers, but I'm okay with Saito since it's a one year deal. His numbers have been really good for his five years in the majors. Let's just hope he holds up. I like that there's no more than one year to commit to him. At age 41, anyone can break down. It's a good risk.

[Klements Bratwurst]

Great signing. Perhaps he was signed as insurance that Hawkins still isn't right yet. Or allows them to keep the inexperienced and "optionable" Kintzler and McClendon off the 25 man roster for another seasoned arm. Good quality depth move.

[Matt Breen]

I certainly didn't expect them to spend money in the pen. I like the signing. Does this change Hawkins' role?

I see Hawkins and Saito switching off the 8th inning. Saito doesn't look like a 75 game guy, and Hawkins probably shouldn't be either at his age and coming off an injury.

[BREWCREW5]

his highest ERA the last five years was 2.83 (last year). He also save 39 games in 2007 and had a 1.40 ERA that year.

[JohnBriggs12]

I like it too. They spend less than half of what they spent on Hoffman last year and barring a complete collapse (that's possible at age 41), they'll get a lot more out of Saito than they did from Hoffman in 2010. With Hawkins and Saito, neither should have to be over used.

[yoshii8]

He is one of my favorite relievers to watch and I think he rounds out our bullpen very well. Having Saito, Axford and Braddock at the end of games is going to be fun to watch. Great job Doug Melvin!

[splitterpfj]

In Saito's MLB career, his ERA is 2.19, his WHIP is 1.02, and his Ks per nine is 11, with nearly 4 Ks per BB.

 

OK, he won't put up those numbers next year, but you get the point, this guy can pitch.

 

I would factor in one DL stint along the way, but this is a move I really like.

[BREWCREW5]

Does anyone know how to pronounce his last name?

 

I am thinking it is "Say-Show".

 

Anyone know for sure?

[bigredrobbo]

Does anyone know how to pronounce his last name?

 

I am thinking it is "Say-Show".

 

Anyone know for sure?

"Sy-ee-toe" would be the pronunciation going by general Japanese linguistic rules, but since Schroeder becomes ShRAYder here in Wisconsin, I'm sure we can mangle it a little! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Invader3K]

"Sye-toh".

Seems a good relatively low risk move for the Brewers. Kind of nice to see them still spending money, but not going crazy.

[Matt Breen]

Does anyone know how to pronounce his last name?

 

I am thinking it is "Say-Show".

 

Anyone know for sure?

"Sy-ee-toe" would be the pronunciation going by general Japanese linguistic rules, but since Schroeder becomes ShRAYder here in Wisconsin, I'm sure we can mangle it a little! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

I would agree with Brewcrew5 - 'Sy-ee-toe'. The other option I think would be 'Sy-Toe'.

[dlk9s]

And if he stinks, we can always call him "Sigh-To." http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Invader3K]

Another point about Saito: Last year he had the highest ERA of his MLB career at 2.83, but his WHIP was still just 1.074. So even if he regresses slightly this season, he should still be pretty good. He also had a SO/9 of 11.5, which seems very good.

[Matt Breen]

Does anyone know how to pronounce his last name?

 

I am thinking it is "Say-Show".

 

Anyone know for sure?

"Sy-ee-toe" would be the pronunciation going by general Japanese linguistic rules, but since Schroeder becomes ShRAYder here in Wisconsin, I'm sure we can mangle it a little! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

I would agree with Brewcrew5 - 'Sy-ee-toe'. The other option I think would be 'Sy-Toe'.

TAKASHI SAITO (ta-KAH-shee Sye-toe)

 

source: http://blogs.riverfrontti..._names_pronunciation.php

[BREWCREW5]

This dude is lights out...when he is healthy.

 

Lets hope to a healthy 2011 for all of us and the entire Brewers roster!

[Invader3K]

Something I was just thinking: This move seems a bit surprising. Milwaukee isn't usually known for attracting free agent Asian players, especially ones coming off good seasons. It's hard to think there wasn't a somewhat decent amount of interest in Saito. Maybe he was attracted to signing with the Brewers due to seeing a shot at the post-season? I'm just speculating on this.

[Hofbraunhaus]

Pleasantly surprised with this signing. Low risk and someone who could really help the team. Let's hope he has at least 1 more year in him.

[Matt Breen]

Note on the signing - Saito was a Type A free agent, but the Braves didn't offer arbitration, thus he does not cost us a draft pick.

 

Just thought I'd point this out in case anyone was wondering.

[Invader3K]

Note on the signing - Saito was a Type A free agent, but the Braves didn't offer arbitration, thus he does not cost us a draft pick.

 

Just thought I'd point this out in case anyone was wondering.

Yeah. I saw there was a bit of a debate on this on Twitter earlier, but you are correct. Losing a 2nd round draft pick would have been painful at this point.

[Funketown]

Note on the signing - Saito was a Type A free agent, but the Braves didn't offer arbitration, thus he does not cost us a draft pick.

 

Just thought I'd point this out in case anyone was wondering.

Whew. When I read 'type A', I was ready to be pretty annoyed.

 

If Saito can stay healthy, this should be a very good bullpen. That back end of Saito-Axford will be pretty filthy, and to have guys like Loe, Braddock, and Hawkins to fill in the rest of the important innings, I think it's pretty likely that the bullpen is a strength of this team.

[greeg35]

the JS is taking a while to pick up on this. Is Haudricourt still on vacation?

[Invader3K]

the JS is taking a while to pick up on this. Is Haudricourt still on vacation?

He might be. Adam McCalvy just tweeted that the signing is a done deal and will be officially announced next week. Maybe a slight delay due to the holiday, or maybe Saito is traveling from Japan for a physical or press conference?