Major League Baseball has announced that infielder Ryosuke Kikuchi (Hiroshima Carp) and right-handed pitcher Shun Yamaguchi (Yomiuri Giants) are each formally available through the posting process. Their posting periods opened this morning at 8am EST and will continue through 5pm EST on January 2nd.
Neither of these players is a surprise entrant to the marketplace at this point. In both cases, their respective Japanese teams had already assented to the players’ desires to explore a move to the majors. But today’s news does set the timeline for a deal to be struck.
It’s tough to say at this point how the market will develop for these two long-time Nippon Professional Baseball standouts. Countrymen Shogo Akiyama and Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, both of whom are also attempting an MLB transition, are generally better-known players on this side of the Pacific. At least, it’s easier to think about precisely how those stars — a center fielder and lefty-swinging slugger — might fit into specific roster situations.
Kikuchi, 29, is a glove-first second baseman. He’s a contact and speed-oriented offensive player who doesn’t stand out in the NPB for his hitting ability. Over his career, Kikuchi carries an uninspiring .271/.315/.391 batting line at Japan’s highest level of play. While he’s regarded as a truly exceptional defender, there are quite a few second basemen available at the moment and it’s not a position at which teams have prioritized glovework of late. Interest in Kikuchi may depend upon whether MLB teams believe he’s capable of lining up at shortstop.
As for Yamaguchi, 32, it’s possible to imagine just about any team in the majors having interest. He has served alternatively as a late-inning reliever and quality starter. There have been some peaks and valleys over the years, but Yamaguchi was in good form last season, when he spun 170 innings of 2.91 ERA ball with 10.0 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9. Whether or not there’s serious interest in Yamaguchi as a true starter remains to be seen, but there’s little doubt he’d at least be an intriguing candidate to function in a “bulk” role or as a more traditional reliever.
Under the current posting system, a Major League team that signs one of these players would owe his former team 20 percent of the first $25MM guaranteed, plus 17.5 percent of the next $25MM, plus 15 percent of any dollars spent north of $50MM. That release fee is paid in addition to the guarantee itself. Contract options and performance incentives, once unlocked or triggered, are subject to a supplemental 15 percent release fee. For minor league deals, MLB clubs pay out 25 percent of the player’s signing bonus, and the player’s salary upon being added to the 25-man roster is subject to a supplemental posting fee.
royals should go after the japanese relief pitcher guy. i’m tired of cheap arms like Justin Grimm and wily peralta.
Royals are cheap though and they just sold the team so more than likely it will take a little time before the new owner knows what he can and cannot spend
The problem is Dayton Moore will go after Cheap arms (he likes to dumpster dive, see wily peralta & brad boxberger) and I’d rather have this Japanese pitcher. I’m guessing he would not cost as much as one of the free agents of the market such as Stephen Strasburg.
All I want the new owner to do is veto ANY attempts to bring Lucas Duda back.
Ching Ming wang
I can’t imagine Shun Yamaguchi is going to have much success in the MLB.
What makes you say that? Please enlighten us…
Probably has something to do with the .315 lifetime OBP in Japan
That’s Kikuchi, Yamaguchi is a pitcher
Neither of these players are truly exciting like others in the past to justify the financial obligation.
I don’t see small market clubs getting involved due to the financial commitment for unproven commodities. Easier for larger market clubs to take a risk.
With Ohtani back, the Angels will definitely need a long reliever capable of handling 10 starts or so. This guy might fit that bill.
Based on his defensive numbers in Japan Ryosuke Kikuchi should be able to play shortstop very well (+5-+10 drs/uzr) since he looks like Dustin Pedroia did at second base before Pedroia got injured so often. However, he’s likely going to play like Alcides Escobar at his best which has value, just not high value.
Shun Yamaguchi will probably be a low end #3 to a high end #4 starter in the MLB even though he led the league in FIP at 3.08 and 6.6 WAR in 170 IP. He’s got enough stuff to be an effective starter/bulk guy. He could be the #1 for some of these rebuilding teams (not Detroit). https://1point02.jp/op/gnav/leaders/pl/pps_dashboard.aspx?sn=2019&lg=0&tm=0&ps=1&sl=1&sr=0&pn=-1
dont buy either signing. chances are only Kikuchi has the posting fee matched, but no deal will be struck. Yamaguchi is not proven enough to warrent real consideration, barring a major contraction of the SP market in the coming month.
A major contraction of the SP market? What? People always need pitching bro. You don’t think the Twins would take a flyer or possibly the Phillies? There’s not going to be any “major contraction” of the SP market.
i mean if a lot of candidates are removed quickly and teams still in need of arms are forced to look elsewhere. i dont see Yamaguchi as a likely option for a starter in a general sense given how unproven he is and the monetary commitment.
If a team wins the post and signs the player, how long before the player can be trade?