Article: Kicking the Tires on Kikuchi

[Mr. Brooks]

They should still try, buy its not gonna happen.

He going to go to a market with a more significant Japanese community, like San Francisco, LA, Seattle, or New York. He's not going to Minneapolis.

[ewen21]

Giving a guy like this a multi year deal is suicide for us. Never pitched a day in the majors. How do we even begin to understand what he can do in this arena? I know zilch about this guy yet there are people who know slightly more suddenly excited to sign him. I don't get it other than it puts a little attention on us for making a mid-level international signing. It's almost like some want the Twins to make news.

 

Pitching in Japan doesn't really translate here. There is a reason why very few Japanese pitchers make it here. The ball is different, the hitters are different, the rotations are arranged differently, travel isn't as much of a factor, the language and cultural barrier is big, etc...

It's a big jump for a Japanese pitcher to make and I know nothing of this guy but his numbers and a few write ups. Brilliant job by the poster earlier in this thread who's seen him play. He admitted he had an interest in him coming to the Twins (mostly so he can see more Twins baseball in Japan).

 

i just want the Twins to be better. I can't realistically say this guy accomplishes that. I know nothing about him. I have to do a whole lot of research to even begin to understand if he's an exception. I won't assume he is

[Vanimal46]

His 30 day negotiation window closes on Jan 3rd so we'll see how hard they kicked those tires.

[Mike Sixel]

Man, I was sure they were going to sign him.....

[twins_89]

I wouldn't be surprised to hear the Twins made a competitive offer, unfortunately that type of offer has virtually no chance of getting Kikuchi to sign. The only way that Minnesota would even have had a chance would be if they made an offer substantially higher than any of the west coast teams (which I'm fairly sure wasn't going to happen).

[Don Walcott]

Apparently, it is possible to sign a top free agent to a big contract while a team is rebuilding. Imagine that.

[Vanimal46]

$14 million AAV. Apparently out of the budget here.

 

[AlwaysinModeration]

$14 million AAV. Apparently out of the budget here.

 

https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1080142054406176768?s=19

That contract makes my head hurt. Or maybe it was the champagne.

 

I didn’t think there was any likelihood the Twins would sign Kikuchi. Also ok with that. Would much rather see them sign a couple of solid RPs. (Britton and Ottavino would probably be too much to hope for?)

[Mr. Brooks]

$14 million AAV. Apparently out of the budget here.

 

https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1080142054406176768?s=19

Or, he was always going to sign for a market with a large Japanese culture, as I predicted a few posts up.

 

I don't think there is a remotely reasonable offer that the Twins could have made that would have even gotten a response.

The new posting rules are great for the Asian players, but terrible for every team that's not in LA, NY, Seattle, or San Francisco.

[KirbyDome89]

 

Pitching in Japan doesn't really translate here. 

 Ohtani, Tanaka, Maeda, and Darvish.....

 

Those are only current Japanese pitchers in MLB. I think some just want to the Twins to add talent. 

[Twodogs]

Well the way for teams to handle that is by not offering those guys anything, that as a result will drop the value of their offers from those west coast teams because they won't have any competition for those players and soon they won't like the value of their offers anymore. Let them corner themselves out of the market. I mean if we all already know they won't sign, why bother?

[Mr. Brooks]

Well the way for teams to handle that is by not offering those guys anything, that as a result will drop the value of their offers from those west coast teams because they won't have any competition for those players and soon they won't like the value of their offers anymore. Let them corner themselves out of the market. I mean if we all already know they won't sign, why bother?

You'd still have 6 teams bidding, which is plenty. It only takes 2 teams to drive up a price.

[USAFChief]

Well the way for teams to handle that is by not offering those guys anything, that as a result will drop the value of their offers from those west coast teams because they won't have any competition for those players and soon they won't like the value of their offers anymore. Let them corner themselves out of the market. I mean if we all already know they won't sign, why bother?

I’m not sure I follow the logic...make it cheaper for west coast teams? How does that help the Twins?

[akmanak]

He went to the M's debate over.

Edited January 1, 2019 by akmanak

[ashbury]

He went to the M's debate over.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

per Passan, ESPN

 

The novel contract could see Kikuchi in Seattle for as few as three years and as many as seven, according to sources. The base deal is for three years and $43 million. Following the 2021 season, the Mariners can trigger a four-year, $66 million extension. If they decline to do so, Kikuchi either can trigger a $13 million option for the 2022 season or elect free agency. The deal guarantees $56 million and can be worth as much as $109 million.

[Mike Sixel]

It's an interesting contract. Good for Seattle. No surprise to anyone he's on the West coast. Can't fault the Twins here at all.

[nater79a]

Dang.   To the M's...

 

Rock...And....Roll -   Kikuchi-koo

Lawdy mama light my fuse

Edited January 2, 2019 by nater79a

[ChrisKnutson]

Sooo this means we’re signing Keuchel right??

[nicksaviking]

 

Sooo this means we’re signing Keuchel right??

 

If this team is still rolling with Sano and Polanco on the left side of the infield, they'd be insane to want anything to do with an expensive sinkerballer who can't miss bats.

[RatherBeGolfing]

 

If this team is still rolling with Sano and Polanco on the left side of the infield, they'd be insane

 

You could've stopped right here

[Mike Sixel]

If this team is still rolling with Sano and Polanco on the left side of the infield, they'd be insane to want anything to do with an expensive sinkerballer who can't miss bats.

What's a better solution, or are you condoning not adding more starters this year? Which is a fine stance, just curious

[Monkeypaws]

 

It's an interesting contract. Good for Seattle. No surprise to anyone he's on the West coast. Can't fault the Twins here at all.

If only Norway and Sweden started developing stud ballplayers. As much lutefisk, pickled herring and Swedish meatballs as you want....

[ewen21]

 

If this team is still rolling with Sano and Polanco on the left side of the infield, they'd be insane to want anything to do with an expensive sinkerballer who can't miss bats.

The fact that Polanco is over at short bugs me.  We were so in love with Dozier that we had to do that.

[Squirrel]

The fact that Polanco is over at short bugs me.  We were so in love with Dozier that we had to do that.

Whatever the reasons for it, it was what it was. But I do agree Polanco needs to move to second and I’d prefer he did it this year and not sit on our thumbs waiting for Lewis. Get Polanco established at 2nd BEFORE Lewis comes up. So I want them to trade for or sign a legit SS now ... there’s still one available on the FA market, but the White Sox are closer to signing him than we are. The White Sox.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

If only Norway and Sweden started developing stud ballplayers. As much lutefisk, pickled herring and Swedish meatballs as you want....

it seems like we have/had the market on German, Dutch, and Australian players.... too bad none of those countries have leagues competitive with Japan

[nicksaviking]

 

What's a better solution, or are you condoning not adding more starters this year? Which is a fine stance, just curious

 

I would condone not adding any sinkerballers, they're not a fit for this team. Nor any team that thinks intentionally putting the ball in play is a bad idea.

 

The free agent starters were brutal this year, I wouldn't have wanted to add one just for the sake of making a move. I don't know, maybe take a chance on Gio Gonzalez or Clay Buchholz if they have any desire to come here. Otherwise, yeah, I don't see any of those free agents making the team any better.