Giants Sign 101 MPH Throwing Arm

There's been a rare off-season signing in the pitching department for the World Series Champion San Francisco Giants.  The team announced this week they have signed former Japanese league pitcher Marc KroonIt's a minor league deal for now with a big bonus incentive if he makes the team.

Kroon clocked a 101 mph pitching in Japan as a closer, but will vie for a relief job for San Francisco. He played for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan, so he is familiar with the jersey and the colors.

Kroon, who turns 38 in April, is a veteran on the mound and has played for the Mets, Padres, Reds, Mariners, Dodgers, Angels and most recently the Rockies. He's been in Japan for the last six years.

Kroon was a star in Japan, making $13 million a year. "We call him 'The Phoenix' because he rose from the ashes," said Kroon's agent, John Boggs told Tom Krasovic of the Bleacher Report.

Since winning it all in October, the Giants have retained all but one reliever: Guillermo Mota.

Kroon will report to Scottsdale with the pitchers and the catchers on Valentine's Day. That is the first day of Spring Training.

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