Japanese lefty Yusei Kikuchi has hired the Boras Corporation to represent him in negotiations with MLB organizations, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred (via Twitter). Kikuchi is expected to be posted this fall, though there has yet to be a formal announcement to that effect.
With this news that Kikuchi will join one of the game’s most powerful agencies, it seems easy to presume that he’ll indeed be coming over this fall. While the Seibu Lions have indicated they’ll post him if that’s his wish, the star hurler had expressed at least some uncertainty at the conclusion of the Nippon Professional Baseball season.
Kikuchi represents an intriguing potential wild card on the market. As MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes wrote in ranking Kikuchi #12 among possible free agents this winter, there’s reason to believe that the southpaw could slot comfortably into the middle of an MLB rotation. That makes him a valuable asset, particularly at just 27 years of age. On the other hand, Kikichi has had some shoulder issues and isn’t reputed to have an arsenal as impressive as those of countrymen Yu Darvish and Masahiro Tanaka.
All things considered, it’s tough to guess at Kikuchi’s true earning power, though we pegged it at six years and $42MM (with Seibu also receiving about $8MM in fees) in our predictions. No doubt, Kikuchi will hope that agent Scott Boras will help find him a robust market and maximize his earnings. Boras has previously represented several players who were seeking to move to the majors, perhaps none more notable or memorable than Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Find up-to-date information on player representation in MLBTR’s Agency Database.
Yankees
Yankees are the Answer to Corbin, Harper, Machado too though…
Well anyone really. Full out desperate mode that the Sox won the WS they will spend
The Yankees are going to pay Arte Moreno $500 million for Trout and then sign him to a $1 billion extension. They’ve also got a quarter billion set aside to conduct age-reversing experiments on Whitey Ford.
No they will sign him to infinity dollars
Great comment bro. Infinity dollars how original
Yankees will be worried about Kei Igawa 2.0. One thing is that Igawa had less stuff than Kikuchi does now.
Nah, he signs in NL, goes out West.
Boras is a good one, if you want max $$
he’s been fking his clients lately, having them turn down multi year deals only to sign 1 year deals later for crumbs
Ultimately it is his clients choice.
I had no idea grown men were completely incapable of making their own decisions.
You of course are way off base with “fking his clients lately” or ever. The player is the one who makes the final decision, and signs the contract. God why do you people not get those?
*get this
Yea like having Hollansld turn down the Davis contract and other blunders. I am always amazed at the Boras ass kissers
Boras is a talentless scum. He manipulates players and teams to give max money to players that aren’t very good.
He has what one client that stayed with his current team and got an extension.
Yet players seem to still hire him, and they would know more about him than you would anyway.
I think you mean Boras is the best person on the planet at his job. I fixed that for you
The only people who like Boras are his clients.
That must mean he is doing a god job.
i have no problem for him to wring out top dollars for his big name clients. though, his clients tend to go to only the biggest spenders making the small market teams devoid of top talents beyond team controll.
Says the guy who’s only friend is his cat.
Padres
Reds 6 at 54
I would’ve previously thought the Reds would get Kikuchi. But they have a very limited history of dealing with Boras clients so I think this lessens that chance at least a little
It would be interesting to see if the Padres have an edge due to their front office having deep ties to Japan.. Although this did not seemingly give them the edge in the Ohtani lottery.
They have an edge because of Hideki Irabu and his concentration camp comments…
ohtani wanted to go to a team with a super star(s) trying to avoid a lot of attention on himself.
i figured kikuchi signing with boras likely meant padres would be out more than anything
Hopefully they stear clear of him. Makita’s “success” this year should keep them away from the Japanese pitching market, unless they’re looking for more $3M AAA pitchers..
Makita was a 33-year-old RH reliever that throws submariner in the low 80s.
Kikuchi is a 27-year-old LH starter that throws mid-90s with a curveball, slider and splitter that all grade out as average or better MLB pitches.
I still think the Padres have enough LHP options. They need a RH TOR starter to anchor that staff.
Highly doubt he’ll go to a team 4 or 5 years from contending. Otherwise. The reds, Ray’s, blue Jays, Orioles Marlins would all be in on him. While the red Sox, Yankees, Cubs, cardinals, Dodgers and Rockies are iut
Angels. 4/$40M.
Apparently multiple places got the padres pegged for him
Though I’m slightly intrigued; I really don’t like the shoulder issues.
“Hello! My name is Scott Boras. I represent Yusei Kikuchi. Bidding starts at $40 billion. He’s worth it, and I have a thick book here that shows why.”
I would be surprised if Beane and Forst don’t at least entertain an offer.
I believe he’ll end up on the west coast
Mike Rizzo is getting calls from Boras as we speak……
Phillies. They need a lefty and have tons of payroll space.
Not if he has shoulder issues and is not as good as Yu or Tanaka. Pass, thank you.
Tommy John candidate inside 2 years like every other Japanese pitcher