The Seattle Mariners signed a Japanese free agent pitcher as 2018 slipped out the door:
Japanese left-hander Yusei Kikuchi agreed to a deal with the Seattle Mariners late Monday night, delivering a New Year’s surprise for a team that has traded a number of foundational pieces already this winter, league sources familiar with the deal told ESPN.ESPN.com
The 27-year-old Kikuchi was among the best free-agent pitchers left on the market and drew widespread interest before selecting the Mariners. Kikuchi must have a signed deal by Wednesday, when the window for his posting by the Seibu Lions runs out. The deal guarantees Kikuchi four years.
The reason for the Mariners is not clear:
It wasn’t the sort of move consistent with their previous rejiggering this offseason, and yet general manager Jerry Dipoto has stated a desire to compete again by 2021, according to sources, and a deal with Kikuchi will place him in Seattle in that window.
With Dipoto trading away a number of stars, I suspect there will be less local interest in the Mariners this season. The signing of Kikuchi should bring in the Japanese audience, and the advertising dollars generated by that audience.
from baseballmusings.com http://bit.ly/2GS8O9R
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