Royals Sign Yabuta
November 30, 2007 by Geoff Young
Filed under Transactions
The Kansas City Royals have signed Japanese right-hander Yasuhiko Yabuta to a 2-year, $6 million deal. Yabuta, who turns 35 in June, has spent his entire 12-year career with the Chiba Lotte Marines and been a fairly effective reliever over the past four seasons.
Yabuta emphasized new Kansas City manager Trey Hillman’s presence as a factor in his signing:
Mr. Hillman knows Japanese baseball and Japanese players. He knows my style. He understands me very well.
Hillman, of course, managed in Japan for several years and was very successful there. Related to Hillman’s experience on the other side of the Pacific, general manager …read more
