A’s finalize $3.25M deal with Japanese pitcher Fujinami

OAKLAND, Calif. — Japanese right-hander Shintaro Fujinami and the Oakland Athletics finalized a $3.25 million, one-year contract Friday, a deal that permits him to earn a further $1 million in efficiency bonuses for begins.

Fujinami would get $100,000 every for 5, eight and 10 begins, $150,000 apiece for 13 and 18, and $200,000 every for 22 and 25.

The hard-throwing Fujinami, 28, may fill a void in Oakland’s rotation or pitch out of the bullpen. He spent the previous 10 seasons with the Central League’s Hanshin Tigers.

The 6-foot-6 Fujinami was 3-5 with a 3.38 ERA and .240 opponents’ batting common in 10 begins and 6 aid appearances final yr. He walked 21 batters and struck out 65 in 66 2/3 innings.

Much like Los Angeles Angels two-way famous person Shohei Ohtani, Fujinami can hit _ though he had solely 22 plate appearances final season. They are from the identical 2012 draft class, with Fujinami simply lower than three months older than Ohtani.

Fujinami would earn $100,000 for MVP, $75,000 for ending second within the voting and $50,000 for third, and he can earn comparable bonuses for Cy Young Award balloting. He would get $50,000 for making the All-Star Game, $100,000 for World Series MVP or Silver Slugger, and $50,000 for Gold Glove or League Championship Series MVP.

He will likely be a free agent on the finish of the contract.

To open a spot on the 40-man roster, the A’s designated right-handed pitcher Tyler Cyr for task.