Nearly one month after being posted by the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball, it appears Yusei Kikuchi has found a home in the major leagues.
The Seattle Mariners have reached an agreement with Kikuchi, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi adds that the Mariners and Yikuchi have agreed on a four-year deal.
Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports originally reported that the two sides were close to an agreement with the Jan. 2 deadline approaching.
https://twitter.com/TBrownYahoo/status/1079919394866622464
The left-handed pitcher’s projected ceiling is a No. 2 starter, as the 27-year-old battled through a shoulder injury last season.
Kikuchi is just the latest talented player to leave Japan’s top league for MLB via the posting system, with the most recent and famous example being two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani.
More to come.
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