Sayonara to Tazawa

Wow, things move fast in the Far East.  We don't know if the Detroit Tigers were ever really in on Junichi Tazawa, despite sending two scouts to meet with him last week.  But the Boston Red Sox were always the perceived favorite to sign Tazawa, and they confirmed that status by stepping forward with a $6 million offer.

Apparently, that was enough to convince Tazawa, who agreed to sign with the Red Sox some 24 hours later.  According to Fire Brand of the AL, the deal is a three-year major league contract, to be signed in the next couple of weeks.  Tazawa will begin in Double-A and pitch as a starter.

UPDATE: The reports of a $6 million contract appear to have been incorrect.  NPB Tracker says Tazawa's contract will play him $1 million a season.  Though maybe there's another $3 million in bonuses and incentives written into the deal.