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Tampa Bay Devil Rays News:

Reaching across the Pacific Ocean for help, the Devil Rays signed infielder Akinori Iwamura on Friday to a three-year contract worth a guaranteed $7.7 Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets million, with a club option for a fourth year at $4.25 million.

"I am really excited and humbled by this opportunity," Iwamura said. "I look forward to Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets being part of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and wearing the uniform."

In November, the Rays won negotiating rights to Iwamura through the posting system that Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets enables Japanese players to play in the United States with a high bid of $4.5 million. That bid, which is paid to the Yakult Swallows, topped Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets both the Indians and Padres.

The Rays had until midnight ET on Friday to sign Iwamura. If they were unable to Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets hammer out a contract, Iwamura would have returned to Japan and Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets the club wouldn't have paid the posting fee.

"We are very pleased to add a player of Akinori's ability to our organization," said Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets Andrew Friedman, the Rays executive vice president of baseball operations. "Aki is a complete player who will make a significant impact on Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets our club. This acquisition is one more step in our efforts to expand our footprint in player procurement in the international market."

Iwamura, 27, will make $1.8 million in 2007, $2.4 million in 2008 and $3.25 million in 2009. The club has a $4.25 million option for the 2010 season or a $250,000 buyout. The contract also has escalating bonuses based on plate Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets appearances in the first three years that could increase the option to $5.25 million and the buyout to $750,000. The Rays' financial commitment in the deal, including the posting fee, amounts to $12.25 million. Iwamura will donate up to $100,000 to the Rays Charitable Foundation.

"I think that from what I gathered, he really wants to play here," said Rays manager Joe Maddon Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets at the Winter Meetings. "He's very self-confident. I think he will be successful here."

Iwamura echoed that sentiment Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets by saying he would not have wanted to play in the Major Leagues Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets if he did not feel he would succeed. However, he added he had some concerns the move was going to be a huge Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets challenge and he hoped to make any adjustments during Spring Training.

"We expect him to have success," Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets Friedman said. "I think his style of play will translate very well over here."

Iwamura said his goal is not to just play in the Major Leagues, but to help the team win.

"Hopefully I can help the team win this year," he said.

Boston Red Sox News:

Not content to take a day off after the splashy acquisition of Daisuke Matsuzaka, Red Sox Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets general manager Theo Epstein filled out some complementary roles in the bullpen on Friday, adding two veteran setup men with Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets postseason experience.

The first addition came via a trade, Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets as Epstein dealt left-handed prospect Phil Seibel to the Angels for right-hander Brendan Donnelly. A couple of hours later, Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets Boston announced the signing of free-agent lefty J.C. Romero.

The bullpen is basically the only area of the 2007 Red Sox that remains a work in progress, but both Donnelly and Romero make the team thicker in that regard. The big Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets void that still remains is the closer's role.

"It's really too early to Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets start assigning exact roles, other than to say that the guys who pitch the best are definitely going to have the most important roles," Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets Epstein said. "Certainly we're going to find a closer, whether it's internal or external, before we break [camp]. As far as Donnelly and Romero go, we think both guys have a lot of talent, both guys were available at relatively low acquisition costs and both guys go a long way toward building a lot of quality depth in our Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets bullpen."

Donnelly and Romero join a setup crew that includes veterans Mike Timlin and Julian Tavarez, Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets and young guns Manny Delcarmen and Craig Hansen. Left-handed reliever Hideki Okajima was also signed as a free agent earlier this month. Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets Swingman Kyle Snyder will also be in the mix for a job, Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets along Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets with Bryan Corey.

Until Friday, the 35-year-old Donnelly had spent his entire career with the Angels, breaking in with the World Series championship team in 2002. Donnelly was a big Boston Reds Sox vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays tickets cog in Angels manager Mike Scioscia's loaded bullpen that year, posing a 2.16 ERA in 46 games.