KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Kansas City Royals hope that signing
a Japanese relief pitcher might attract more international talent.
The Royals signed Yasuhiko Yabuta to a 6 million dollar,
two-year contract, and expect the 34-year-old right-hander to
compete for a spot as the team's primary setup man.
Manager Trey Hillman spent the past five years managing a
Japanese team. He says that bringing Yabuta in will open up the
Royals to signing more players in the Asian market.
The Royals have also shown interest in Japanese pitcher Hiroki
Kuroda.
General manager Dayton Moore says the Royals want to add more
pitching, especially from Japan, and Hillman has already helped.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APNP-11-29-07 2044CST