The Indians, continuing the run on Japanese relievers, have reached an agreement with right-hander Masahide Kobayashi on a two-year deal. The deal for Kobayashi, who has recorded at least 20 saves in each of the past seven seasons, includes a club option for 2010.
Kobayashi, 33, has spent his entire nine-year career with the Chiba Lotte Marines, the team managed by Bobby Valentine. He has averaged 31 saves the past seven seasons.
Kobayashi will move into the back end of Cleveland’s bullpen as a setup man for closer Joe Borowski, who led the AL with 45 saves last season. The Indians recently exercised Borowski’s $4 million option for 2008.
The Royals are close to an agreement with another Japanese free-agent right-hander, Yasuhiko Yabuta, 34. A third Japanese reliever, right-hander Kazuo Fukumori, 31, also is drawing interest.
Last season, Kobayashi went 2-7 with a 3.61 ERA and 27 saves in 49 appearances. He was on the disabled list in September with a neck injury but finished the regular season on the active roster and pitched in the playoffs.
Kobayashi went 36-34 with a 2.79 ERA and 227 saves in 303 games for Chiba Lotte. In 2005, he led the Pacific League with 34 saves. He was a member of Japan’s Olympic baseball team in 2004.