Reports: Red Sox set to sign Japanese RHP Tazawa

BOSTON (AP) -The Boston Red Sox and Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa have agreed to a major league contract, according to two newspaper reports.

The 22-year-old right-hander, who has never played professional baseball, agreed to a deal worth about $3 million, the Boston Globe reported Monday. The Boston Herald reported Tazawa likely would sign a three-year contract by Tuesday.

Boston general manager Theo Epstein and owner Tom Werner did not return e-mails seeking comment.

The Red Sox, who already have Japanese pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima, would put Tazawa on the 40-man roster but he likely would begin next season in the minors.

In other news, the Red Sox offered salary arbitration to free-agent catcher Jason Varitek and pitcher Paul Byrd, a move that means the club would receive compensatory draft picks if those players sign with another team.

Boston declined to offer arbitration to its other free agents: Curt Schilling, Bartolo Colon, Mike Timlin, David Ross, Sean Casey, Alex Cora and Mark Kotsay.

Varitek is a Type A free agent, so if he signs with another team the Red Sox would receive two compensatory draft picks next year.

Byrd is a Type B free agent. If he signs with another club, Boston would get a "sandwich'' pick between the first and second round.

Free agents have until Sunday to accept arbitration offers.