The New York Mets are reportedly interested in obtaining free agent right-hander Satoru Komiyama as a long reliever and spot starter, a newspaper reported in New York on Wednesday.
Newsday reported that Komiyama and the Mets, managed by former Lotte Marines skipper Bobby Valentine, have "shared an interest in each other for a couple years" and that the Mets considered signing the former Pacific League ERA champion two years ago.
Komiyama, 36, who declared free agency at the end of this past season, posted a 12-9 record for the Yokohama BayStars of the Central League this season with a 3.03 earned run average over 148 2/3 innings.
According to Newsday, the Mets would likely use Komiyama as a long reliever, a position the National League club seeks to strengthen. Komiyama would also be expected to provide another "veteran presence" in the bullpen.
The paper said that the Mets are interested in Komiyama, in part, because of the success of former Hanshin Tigers outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo this past season.
Sources cited by the daily, the Mets are considering a deal similar to Shinjo's for Komiyama -- a $500,000 base salary with incentives and perhaps an option.
The Mets exercised their option with Shinjo earlier this month, re-signing the outfielder for $1.2 million for next year.
Chiba-native Komiyama was Lotte's top draft pick in 1990 and was the Pacific League's top pitcher with a 2.47 earned run average in 1997. He joined the BayStars as a free agent in 1999 after turning down the Mets.