As we’ve found out in recent days, these things have a funny way of changing, but this report in Nikkan Sports  would indicate the deal is done — Fukumori Kazuo to Texas 2-years/$3 million (confirmed).

You can check out the reaction on the leading Rangers site, Lone Star Blog. Everyone seems pretty positive, as am I. Two years is pretty low risk for a guy who could end up being a very solid setup man if he stays healthy.

Better than that Tejada trade the team on the other side of the state just made.

The Padres signed Iguchi Tadahito to a very cheap one-year, $4 mill deal. Very nice signing by the Padres. Iguchi is a big upgrade over Marcus Giles in the field and a push (maybe a little better) at the plate.

And finally, apparently seeing something they liked in his 9.34 ERA over 19 appearances the Pirates have invited Kuwata Masumi to their 2008 spring training.

Interesting note about Kuwata from the Baseball Reference Bullpen:

Kuwata is a movie and wine fan who is not fond of animals. A fairly fluent English speaker, he became a close friend of former Giants Bill Gullickson and Warren Cromartie. Gullickson gave one of his sons the middle name Kuwata in honor of his former teammate.

To be fair the Pirates had talked about keeping Kuwata on as a mentor/coach, so inviting him to hang out at spring training isn’t a bad idea. It’s clear Kuwata is well-liked/connected.