Yasuhiko Yabuta

Yabuta, 34, has been one of Japan's better right-handed set-up men over the past few seasons, posting a 2.73 ERA in 58 relief outings last season (1.180 WHIP, 45:10 K:BB ratio in 62.2 innings). However, Yabuta's strikeout rate did drop last season (6.5 strikeouts per nine innings after averaging 8.2 per nine over the previous three seasons). Yabuta appeared in four games for Japan at the 2006 WBC (one run, three baserunners in 4.1 innings, five strikeouts), retiring all four batters he faced in his second-round appearance against Team USA (including strikeouts of Alex Rodriguez, Derrek Lee and Johnny Damon). Kansas City signed him in the offseason, and he'll set up Joakim Soria in the bullpen.