MLB Free Agency: New York Yankees to Sign Hideki Okajima

Back in May, shortly after he was designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox, we looked at the possibility of the New York Yankees making a move to acquire then 35-year-old left-handed relief pitcher Hideki Okajima.

Most fans were against the idea, believing that Okajima had nothing left in the tank.

Today, word comes from David Waldstein of the New York Times that the Yankees will in fact sign Okajima to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training.

After passing through waivers and reporting to the Pawtucket Red Sox, Boston's Triple-A affiliate, Okajima seemed to get himself back on track.

In 34 games, Okajima went 8-1 with a 2.29 ERA and 0.94 WHIP, striking out 48 over 51 innings of relief.

An All-Star in 2007, Okajima's career numbers are solid: 17-8 with a 3.11 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 246.1 innings pitched with a 2.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

More importantly, Okajima was tough on left-handed batters, holding them to a .218 average and .600 OPS over his five-year major league career.

Signing Okajima is a no-lose gamble for the Yankees. If Okajima reverts to his 2011 form with the Red Sox—a 4.32 ERA and 1.44 WHIP—the Yankees can simply cut him loose. No harm, no foul.

But if he is able to carryover the success he had in Triple-A last year, the Yankees may have found their second left-hander for the bullpen, taking pressure off of Boone Logan, who at times last year simply looked overmatched.

This is a shrewd move by Brian Cashman—Okajima has been successful in the AL East before and has shown an ability to handle pressure situations with the Red Sox.

He could prove to be a valuable addition to the Yankees bullpen in 2012.