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Saturday, March 12, 2022

Toronto Blue Jays, Yusei Kikuchi agree to three-year, $36M contract

Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a three-year, $36 million contract, a source confirmed to ESPN.

Kikuchi, 30, became a free agent in November when he and the Seattle Mariners both declined to exercise options after he struggled over the second half of the 2021 season.

He was the Mariners’ lone All-Star selection after a 6-4 start with a 3.48 ERA, but Kikuchi faltered in the second half of the season and had to be removed from the rotation during Seattle’s push for a postseason spot. Kikuchi was 1-5 with a 5.98 ERA over his final 13 outings. In three of his final four starts, Kikuchi didn’t last beyond three innings.

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: March 12, 2022 at 07:32 PM | 10 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: blue jays, yusei kikuchi

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1. The Duke Posted: March 12, 2022 at 09:20 PM (#6067585)

That seems like a dramatic overpay and at the same time makes me feel a lot better about Matz at 4/44

2. John Northey Posted: March 12, 2022 at 09:31 PM (#6067586)

Matz pre Jays: 92 ERA+ lifetime, 44 ERA+ in 2020
Kikuchi pre Jays: 86 ERA+ lifetime, 94 ERA+ in 2021

Pete Walker is a miracle worker. It'll be interesting to see what he does with Kikuchi. Plus he is just the #5 starter in 2022 and 2023, then might be upgraded to #4 for 2024 after Ryu leaves.

3. vortex of dissipation Posted: March 12, 2022 at 09:43 PM (#6067587)

If they don't sign another Japanese-born player, this will mark the first time since 1997 that the Mariners have not had a Japanese-born player on their roster.

4. Rally Posted: March 13, 2022 at 12:44 PM (#6067618)

Mariners have a lot of promising young outfielders, but there is a guy on the market with the same last name as their #1 alltime Japanese player.

5. What did Billy Ripken have against ElRoy Face? Posted: March 13, 2022 at 12:59 PM (#6067619)

Do the Jays become the first MLB team with two Japanese pitchers in its rotation?

6. Adam Starblind Posted: March 13, 2022 at 01:10 PM (#6067620)

The Mets had Nomo and Yoshii in ‘98.

7. mathesond Posted: March 13, 2022 at 01:25 PM (#6067623)

Isn't Ryu from Korea?

8. salvomania Posted: March 13, 2022 at 01:51 PM (#6067628)

Red Sox also had Nomo, along with Tomo Ohka, in 2001.

9. What did Billy Ripken have against ElRoy Face? Posted: March 13, 2022 at 01:57 PM (#6067630)

Isn't Ryu from Korea?

Good lord, I’m dumb. Of course I knew that. Just a brain fart.

10. Greg Pope Posted: March 13, 2022 at 04:13 PM (#6067638)

IIRC, Kikuchi has had really good peripherals with really bad results. I thought his numbers finally matched his ability the first half of the year but then he fell off.

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Saturday, March 12, 2022

Toronto Blue Jays, Yusei Kikuchi agree to three-year, $36M contract

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