CHICAGO, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Righthander Shingo Takatsu, the all-time saves leader in Japan, has agreed to terms on a contract with the Chicago White Sox.
A team official said the deal could pay him $3 million over two years.
General Manager Ken Williams said Takatsu, 35, will get $750,000 in 2004. He has a club option worth $2.5 million for 2005, with a club buyout of $250,000.
Takatsu became a free agent in November following a 13-year career with the Yakult Swallows. Last season, he went 2-3 with a Japanese Central League-leading 34 saves and a 3.00 ERA in 44 appearances.
"This is a dream, simple as that," Takatsu's agent, Joe Urbon, told the Chicago Sun-Times. "And although he is tired, he's been walking around here with the biggest smile on his face."
On April 23, Takatsu became Japan's all-time saves leader, passing Seattle Mariners righthander Kazuhiro Sasaki. He leaves with 260 saves.
Takatsu helped the Swallows to championships in 1993, '95, 1997 and 2001.
