CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs today signed right-handed pitcher Shingo Takatsu to a one-year minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to 2008 Major League Spring Training.

Takatsu, 39, is a 15-season veteran with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows (1991-2003, 2006-2007) and also appeared in 99 games for the Chicago White Sox (2004-2005) and New York Mets (2005). With 313 saves between the Japan Central League and Major League Baseball, he is one of two Japanese pitchers to collect 300 professional saves, along with former Mariners pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki. In addition, Takatsu has had nine seasons with an ERA under 3.00, including a 2.31 ERA with the White Sox in 2004.

Featuring a sidearm delivery, Takatsu has saved a Central League record 286 games for the Swallows, compiling a 36-46 record and a 3.20 ERA (271 ER/761.1 IP) in 598 career games, 17 starts. He has recorded 30 or more saves four times (1999, 2001-2003) and was a member of Yakult's Japanese Baseball League championship clubs in 1993, 1995, 1997 and 2001.

Takatsu looks to begin his second stint in the majors, having compiled an 8-6 record with 27 saves and a 3.37 ERA (37 ER/98.2 IP) over the 2004-2005 major league campaigns. He converted 27 of his 31 save opportunities, including 19 of 21 for the White Sox in 2004, leading to a second place finish in A.L. Rookie of the Year voting.

He began the 2005 season with the eventual World Champion White Sox, going 8-for-9 in save situations with a 5.97 ERA (19 ER/28.2 IP) before he was designated for assignment in July and later signed to a minor league deal by the Mets. He made nine relief appearances for New York before filing for free agency and returning to Japan for the 2006 campaign.

Takatsu, born in Hiroshima, has saved 26 games during his second stint with Yakult, posting a 3.95 ERA (29 ER/66.0 IP) in 63 relief outings, including a 2.74 ERA (13 ER/42.2 IP) and 13 saves in 48 games in 2006.

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If he can throw strikes early in the count, that slow ball is deadly. If not, he is like little league pitching to MLB players. He is a good guy who was worthy of a signing.

Don't have a link at the moment, but from what I saw on CubsMB, Shingo Shingwent right outta camp.

Here we go.

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribu ... -to-m.html

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Stupidity irritates the crap outta me... and yes, I irritate myself far too often.

Heard it on ESPN earlier. HE GONE! SAYONARA!

Better scouting minds then mine see a good future for Samardzija. I think that he would not be on anyone's radar if he didn't play WR for ND.