Saito unsure about his future
Reliever Takashi Saito, 40, feared several times this season that shoulder problems would end his career. Now that the season is over, and his shoulder is improving, he’s not sure. He’ll be a free agent.
“I don’t have a certain answer yet,” Saito said with a member of the Japanese media interpreting. “But I don’t have a definite feeling of ‘I’m quitting.’ I’m still thinking….I still believe I can pitch.”
Saito, who turns 41 in February, has played five seasons in the majors with the Braves, Red Sox and Dodgers. He appeared in 56 games this season for the Braves, putting up a 2.83 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 54 innings. He served as one of their primary set-up men until shoulder tendinitis cut his season short in September.
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30 comments Add your comment
BartBuzz
October 12th, 2010
5:02 pm
First.
wjones
October 12th, 2010
5:03 pm
If spotted properly, he would provide quality. IMHO.
dap01
October 12th, 2010
5:10 pm
For the right price, he could help the bullpen again.
Darryl Blackberry
October 12th, 2010
5:25 pm
Signing this guy was a definite check mark in the “plus” column for Frank Wren.
patrocket
October 12th, 2010
5:36 pm
What’s up with the fish and BBQ combination in NC? Weird pairing.
T-Bone
October 12th, 2010
5:37 pm
I like him. He would give the youngsters some stability.
Tana
October 12th, 2010
5:42 pm
I think if he is willing to pitch for less money then there is definitely a place for a good strong vet in our young bullpen next year. The language barrier prevents direct interaction in developing them, but his stuff is good enough to do the job.
lanier
October 12th, 2010
6:23 pm
If he cant communicate with McDowell and the other pictures get rid of him
Bob McHyman
October 12th, 2010
6:24 pm
This might help Saito with his English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5l9gm4ymLw
Brava
October 12th, 2010
6:34 pm
lanier,
If he cant communicate with McDowell and the other pictures get rid of him
I’ll bet you a million dollars you can’t communicate with pictures either.
Hope Takashi is back with the Braves in 2011. He was definitely one to be counted on during the eighth inning. As a fan, there aren’t a lot of pitchers that I absolutely trust when they step up on the mound. He was one.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Takashi Saito | 2010 World Series HQ
October 12th, 2010
6:35 pm
[...] today he’s uncertain about his future, but still believes he can pitch, according to Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Free agent stock watch [...]
Mike
October 12th, 2010
6:37 pm
Too old, go with the good young arms we have in the bull-pen
Bobby's Booger
October 12th, 2010
6:38 pm
Sayanara Takashi, & take Kamikazi with you !
Randal Patrick McMurphy
October 12th, 2010
6:43 pm
The guy can pitch… and if he wants to stay, the Braves would be loony to let him get away…
Sam
October 12th, 2010
6:49 pm
No more injury prone players! Enough is enough after this season.
Old Blue
October 12th, 2010
7:05 pm
Time to let some old salaries go for quality outfield producers. The Braves couldn’t hit the showers this year. We have good pitching. We don’t need Lee, Glaus, McLouth, Ankiel, Farnsworth, Kamawhatever Milkdud and a few others taking up space and money.
Daniel
October 12th, 2010
7:30 pm
Keep Saito!!!!!!! Maybe give him a one-year contract for a million or something.
Dump McLouth and Melky!! And unload KK and his $8M salary!!!!!!! What a waste of money…..$8 mil a season for a guy who went 1-11 with a 4.25+ ERA.
Nevada Roy
October 13th, 2010
1:19 am
Question for Liberty Media
A well led front office management and a well led field management with an $85M team player payroll is good for second place in the NL Eastern Division. A well led front office management and a well led field management with a $125M team player payroll is good for first place in the NL Eastern Division with a good shot at repeating as world champions.
Is Liberty Media a second place corporation or a first place corporation?
Arthur Blank
October 13th, 2010
6:55 am
you know, I would buy the braves, but you fans stink at filling up the park. How would that be profitable for me? nope I’m good with my falcons. Good luck finding another owner
Reid in EAV
October 13th, 2010
9:03 am
Fredi. I love it. It would have been rough to all of a sudden read a manager running down his players in the press. Glad I won’t have to deal with that.
Mike
October 13th, 2010
9:45 am
Saito needs to stay on and help recruit Ichiro…
gcs
October 13th, 2010
10:24 am
I was a little leery when I heard the Braves signed a 40-year old set up man. But in the end, he turned out pretty decent.
.
hAL
October 13th, 2010
10:24 am
icero in right im all for that he actually knowqs about cut off men etc and im sure would contribute more then two hits in a 5 game series lol
bn
October 13th, 2010
11:22 am
Youth over age…youth always wins…
IHEARTCARROLL
October 13th, 2010
12:05 pm
All I care about is will Carroll Rogers be back next year.
gcs
October 13th, 2010
12:38 pm
DOB, I’d be interested to hear who you think will be on the 2011 team.
We know Wags is retiring. I am guessing (hoping) FAs Glaus, D-Lee, Ankiel & Farnsworth are gone.
I assume the Braves will pick up Gonzo and Infante’s options.
We are stuck with the fat contracts of Chipper, Lowe, McLouth and KK unless they can swing a trade.
I pray they re-up Hinske.
Most of the other key components are locked in.
.
Alan 10
October 13th, 2010
4:43 pm
I hope the Braves will invite to spring training and make an evaluation then now that his shoulder is coming along, he gave us some good innings this past year.
Melky Way
October 13th, 2010
5:15 pm
I Hope that Fredi has in mind a new stregnth coach.
PDOG
October 14th, 2010
5:09 pm
If his shoulder is ok it would be worth keeping him on for a million, any more then that just is not worth it.
Sealift
October 14th, 2010
7:48 pm
Given his age, his inconsistent success, and his shoulder, as well as depth of
Braves farm system I would not risk the $$$. A veteran would help steady the
bullpen but I don’t see this with Saito.