As was reported earlier in the week the Indians have signed Chiba Lotte Marines closer Kobayashi Masahide to a two-year deal that will pay him a guaranteed $6 million each year, with a $3.25 million option for 2010. It’s something of a coup for Cleveland as the team already has a solid relief corps and Kobayashi was the best Japanese reliever on the market.

However, while the Indians did beat other teams (the Braves and Mariners were in hot pursuit) to the punch, it’s not as though Kobayashi doesn’t come to America with a couple questions–namely a sub-par 2007 campaign.

Despite saving 27 games, he lost seven and had a few uncharacteristic control problems. Late in the year he developed a neck injury and was sent to the minors to rehab. With his team already having clinched a playoff spot it was likely that the move was simply a workaround to give Kobayashi a break to regain his form. Nine days later he was back from the injury.

Its’ been reported that Kobayashi throws has hard as 98 MPH, though, as you’ll find in the clip below, he generally tops out at around 93 MPH. He throws a two-seam fastball that breaks in on right-handers and a mid-80s slider that, when going well, drops quickly.

He was drafted by the Chiba Lotte Marines in the first round of the 1999 draft. He initially started out as a long reliever and spot starter, amassaing 124 1/3 innings during his rookie year, going 5-5 with a 2.68 ERA in 46 games.
 
In 2000 he was again used as a middle-reliever/spot starter, but as his solid season progressed, was shifted into more of a traditional setup role and even saving 14 games. He threw 109 2/3 innings on the season and went 11-6. He was selected to the All-Star team and was also selected to play in the Nichi-Bei series. He didn’t fare well against the American competition, going 0-1 with a 8.44 ERA over four appearances. Kobayashi was made the closer following the departure of Brian Warren after the 2000 season. Kobayashi’s has always racked up impressive save totals, and he does generally fare well in high pressure situations. He saved 33 in 2001 despite a high 4.33 ERA. But despite the high run totals he kept his walks down, sported a 1.29 WHIP, and a K/9 IP rate of 8.14. He was also?elected to his second straight All-Star team.It all came together in 2002, as Kobayashi had a career year going 2-1 with 37 SV’s and a 0.83 ERA in 43 games. Most appealing, his WHIP plummeted to 0.74 and his K/9 went up a little to 8.52. Somehow, he didn’t make the Pacific League All-Star squad, but was picked to play in his?second Nichi-Bei series and with better results as he threw two scoreless innings.Kobayashi’s strikeout rate plummeted the next year to 5.75 per nine innings. He still saved 33 and maintained low walk totals. It was back up to 7.8 the following year, but his save totals fell to its lowest (20) since his sophomore year. During this period Kobayashi was said to be experimenting with different deliveries which might explain the inconsistent numbers. He currently throws from the stretch, which, along with his odd throwing motion, could be his greatest asset as?he moves?over to the Majors.

In 2004 Kobayashi played for  Team Japan during the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Japan won the bronze medal that year.In 2005 he joined Enatsu Yutaka and Takatsu Shingo as the only players?to reach 20 saves during five connsecutive seaons. He saved 29 that year as Chiba Lotte?demolished the Hanshin Tigers to win its first championship in 31 years. The?Marines outscored the over-matched Tigers 30-2 en route to a 4-0 sweep. Kobayashi was hardly needed in the series, but threw a scoreless inning and was on the mound during the Game 4 clincher. To top things off Kobayashi was named the Fireman Of The Year.What you’re going to see here is actually a two-part video of Kobayashi blowing a four-run lead during a 2005 playoff series versus the SoftBank Hawks. It’s long, and is shown in two parts, but you can see his pitching motion…for about 15 minutes. Check out Bobby Valentine on the bench. Chiba would eventually win the series 3-2.

Prior to 2006 Kobayashi had firmly established himself as the best closer in Japan and put together another great year, saving 34, keeping his WHIP around one and his K/9 a shade over eight. He was also named the MVP of interleague play, going 3-0 with 13 SV’s and a 0.47 ERA in 19 games against Central League opponents.This year was arguably his worst since 2001 going 2-7 with 27 SV’s and a 3.61 ERA in 49 games. He saw his WHIP rise to 1.37 (a career worst). Kobayashi is 33, so a decline due to age isn’t out of the question. Or, perhaps he already had his eye on making millions in America and it distracted him. What isn’t likely is any sort of current injury trouble, though that has also been suggested.

Here’s a CHONE projection?done before Kobayashi signed with the Indians:

Going into spring training he’d have to be considered as a backup plan for (still) ticking time-bomb Joe Bororski.

Written by John Brooks and Aaron Shinsano