Sox Stay Busy,Other Free Agent Moves

The Boston Red Sox stayed busy by inking former Dodgers closer Takashi Saito to a 1 yr incentive laden deal. The Red Sox continue to pile up low risk high reward players. He is guaranteed between 1.5-2.5 million and could earn up to 7 million in incentives. He joins John Smoltz,Brad Penny and Rocco Baldelli in other low risk high reward singnees this week. The New York Mets came to agreement with starting pitcher Tim Redding on a 1 yr contract. He will recieve 2.25 million plus incentives some of which are attainable if he is moved to the bullpen. The Mets still hope to land Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez and Randy Wolf are next on the list. Redding will compete with rookie Jon Niese for the fifth spot in the rotation,Pedro Martinez recently told the New York Post he wants to return to the Mets but that opportunity may have taken a hit with this signing. Pedro and his agents still expect to meet with GM Omar Minaya next week. The World Champion Phillies are interested in Nomar Garciaparra and Gabe Kapler. The Atlanta Braves are attempting to sign Derek Lowe and Kenshin Kawakami. Kawakami has spent the past 11 seasons as one of Japans Central Leagues best pitchers. He is 33 years old and is expected to be in the US next week to finalize a deal with the Braves. He was 9-5 2.3 ERA last yr. In 2004 he went 17-7 with a 3.32 era winning Japans equivalent of the Cy Young and MVP award. If the Braves sign Lowe that will be a blow to the Mets who still need pitching help.