While Kazuhiro Sasaki is leaving the major leagues, Shingo Takatsu is joining. Japan's career saves leader agreed Wednesday to a US$1 million, one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox.
The deal, which includes a team option for 2005, is expected to be announced Friday, a baseball source said on condition of anonymity. The agreement is contingent on Takatsu passing a physical, the source said.
Takatsu has 260 career saves, passing Sasaki last year for the No. 1 spot in Japan history. Sasaki told the Seattle Mariners this week that he won't return this season, wanting to stay with his family in Japan.
He has topped the 30-save mark four times, including a career-high 37 in 2001.
Last season, Takatsu had a Central League-high 34 saves for the Yakult Swallows. The 34-year-old is nicknamed "Mr. Zero" because he's never given up an earned run in the Japan Series. The Swallows have won four titles, and Takatsu has been on the mound when they've clinched each of them.
The White Sox already have one closer in Billy Koch, who they traded for in December 2002. Koch was the AL's top reliever in 2002, saving a career-high 44 games for Oakland. But he struggled in Chicago, losing his closer's job to Tom Gordon in early July.
Across town, the Cubs agreed to a one-year contract with Ryan Dempster that includes a team option for 2005, a deal that guarantees him US$500,000.
Dempster, an All-Star in 2000, had ligament replacement surgery on his elbow Aug. 4 and spent the final two months of last season on the Cincinnati Reds disabled list. It probably will be July or August before he's ready to pitch in the majors.
"I'm really ecstatic, I really am," Dempster said. "I love the tradition of the Cubs, I love going to Wrigley Field. It's a great place to play as a visitor, and I always thought what a great place to play as a Cub."
Jesse Orosco, meanwhile, told the Arizona Diamondbacks he is retiring after 24 MLB seasons.
"To take it a quarter-century -- I never imagined that," the left-hander said. `"It's a sad day that I have to call it quits. But it's a great day, too, for the fact I fulfilled my dream."
Orosco, who turns 47 on April 21, was the oldest player in the major leagues last season. He began his career with the New York Mets in 1979 -- some current major leaguers weren't even born yet -- and set big league records with 1,252 games pitched and 1,248 relief appearances. He went 87-80 with 144 saves and a career ERA of 3.16 with nine teams.
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