TAZAWA AGREES TO DEAL WITH RED SOX

Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa has agreed to a three-year, $3 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, according to the Boston Globe. Last week, the 22-year-old right-hander flew from Narita to Boston, where he was expected to take a physical exam prior to signing a contract with the Red Sox.Tazawa pitched the Nippon Oil team to Japan’s industrial baseball championship last spring, then shocked the Japanese baseball establishment by opting out of that country’s amateur draft to pursue a professional career in the USA. The Globe quoted a “baseball source” as saying Tazawa’s contract with Boston will be a major league deal, and that he would not be eligible for free agency until he completes six years of service. One Red Sox source told the Boston paper that Tazawa was expected to begin his career in the States as a minor leaguer because he needs additional experience.Besides the Red Sox, Tazawa received contract offers from the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves.