The Mets sign Shintaro Fujinami to a $3 million contract.
The New York Mets made an underappreciated trade on Friday, and now they want to strengthen the bullpen. Japanese pitcher Shintaro Fujinami, who has signed a deal with the organization, will play in New York the next season despite having no MLB experience.
“Fujinami to Mets. $3.35M, $850K incentives.”
Shintaro Fujinami has only played in one MLB season. Before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles, he was a player for the Oakland Athletics. As a starting pitcher in Oakland, Fujinami was not very effective. But once Baltimore moved him to the bullpen, Fujinami appeared to thrive there.
It would be prudent for the Mets to use Fujinami in the bullpen. In 29.2 innings pitched, he finished with a 4.85 ERA, 32 strikeouts, and two saves, demonstrating his value to the Orioles. By no means poor numbers. As a middle reliever, Fujinami most likely fits into the rotation. especially when Edwin Diaz makes a full recovery from his injury and takes over as the closing pitcher.
All things considered, the Mets made a wise move in Shintaro Fujinami, whose output may provide much-needed support to a bullpen in need. Watch him closely throughout Spring Training; if he performs well, he may be able to take on a more significant role.