The Saitama Seibu Lions announced on Thursday that they signed RHP Albert Abreu and OF Franchy Cordero.
Abreu, 28, was part of the New York Yankees bullpen in 2023 where he pitched 59 MLB innings with a 4.73 ERA in middle relief.
Most of his role was as a mop up duty pitcher with occasional medium leverage outings. He's capable of hitting 100 mph (161 km/h) and the Lions hope he can be a closer. Control and command are two weaknesses he will need to work on in order to have a successful time in Japan.
He was initially part of the Houston Astros as an amateur free agent and a trading piece for Brian McCann in 2016. Abreu also has brief stints with the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals in 2022.
Cordero, 29, was also with the Yankees in 2023, appearing in only 24 games. His career-high in MLB games for a single season is 84, with the Boston Red Sox in 2022.
According to statcast, he can make very hard contact capable of hitting "barrels". In the last four season, his batting average hovered the Mendoza line, yet if he made contact, it could go deep as he hit eight home runs in 2022.
The Lions have missed power hitting with no one close to 20 HRs in 2023. Cordero could be a heavy boom or bust signing with no middle ground. How does he adapt to Japanese pitching? That's a question to be answered.
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