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01/11/2006 6:04 PM ET
Rays agree to terms with Shinji Mori
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ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have agreed to terms with right-handed relief pitcher Shinji Mori (Shin-jee Mor-ee) on a two-year major league contract through 2007 with a club option to extend for two years through 2009, it was announced today by Rays Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman.
"Shinji Mori is a talented reliever who will add depth to our bullpen," said Friedman. "He's had a successful career
in Japan, and we look forward to his continued success with the Devil Rays. This is the organization's first
agreement with a player from the Japanese Leagues and we hope this will lead to more opportunities in Asia."
Mori, 31, was a five-time All-Star with the Seibu Lions of the Japanese Pacific League. In nine seasons with the Lions he compiled a 44-44 record with 50 saves and a 3.39 ERA in 431 appearances, while striking out 755 in 653.0 innings. Last season, he pitched in 48 games, posting a 2-2 record with five saves and a 4.22 ERA, fanning 60 over 49.0 innings pitched. Mori won Japan's Setup Man of the Year Award in 2002 and 2003.
Mori averaged 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings during his career and had as many or more strikeouts than innings pitched in all but one of his nine seasons with the Lions. Seibu won four Pacific League championships and the 2004 Japan Series during his tenure with the club. He was a teammate of New York Mets infielder Kaz Matsui for seven seasons.
The Rays were awarded exclusive negotiating rights for Mori on December 12, 2005. He will be the second Japanese player to play for the Devil Rays, joining pitcher Hideo Nomo (2005).
SHINJI MORI
Born: 9/12/74 in Yamaguchi, Japan
Bats: Left Throws: Right Ht: 6'3" Wt: 194
| Year | Club | W-L | ERA | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO |
| 1997 | Seibu | 6-2 | 3.28 | 38 | - | 0 | 0 | 9 | 57.2 | 61 | 24 | 21 | 4 | 20 | 61 |
| 1998 | Seibu | 8-8 | 3.81 | 52 | - | 1 | 0 | 5 | 111.0 | 112 | 53 | 47 | 9 | 55 | 110 |
| 1999 | Seibu | 5-8 | 4.66 | 41 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 113.1 | 116 | 62 | 58 | 11 | 54 | 128 |
| 2000 | Seibu | 5-6 | 1.83 | 58 | - | 0 | 0 | 23 | 78.2 | 51 | 16 | 16 | 6 | 20 | 101 |
| 2001 | Seibu | 5-4 | 3.91 | 28 | - | 0 | 0 | 1 | 46.0 | 38 | 21 | 20 | 9 | 16 | 52 |
| 2002 | Seibu | 6-7 | 2.07 | 71 | - | 0 | 0 | 1 | 78.1 | 61 | 25 | 18 | 4 | 29 | 102 |
| 2003 | Seibu | 7-3 | 2.31 | 61 | - | 0 | 0 | 2 | 70.0 | 55 | 19 | 18 | 6 | 22 | 92 |
| 2004 | Seibu | 0-4 | 4.59 | 34 | - | 0 | 0 | 4 | 49.0 | 50 | 35 | 25 | 5 | 38 | 49 |
| 2005 | Seibu | 2-2 | 4.22 | 48 | - | 0 | 0 | 5 | 49.0 | 44 | 24 | 23 | 5 | 19 | 60 |
| Totals | | 44-44 | 3.39 | 431 | - | 1 | 0 | 50 | 653.0 | 588 | 279 | 246 | 59 | 273 | 755 |
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