{"id":28748,"date":"2019-01-07T05:36:31","date_gmt":"2019-01-07T10:36:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/test.ngscsports.com\/?p=28748"},"modified":"2020-08-20T11:51:47","modified_gmt":"2020-08-20T15:51:47","slug":"mlb-weekly-digest-january-7th-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ngscsports.com\/2019\/01\/07\/mlb-weekly-digest-january-7th-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"MLB Weekly Digest January 7th Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"
The prior week in MLB was about a team in the American League signing a player outside the United States, a National League club inks a reliever to a multi-year contract and a team in the AL strengthens their bullpen<\/p>\n
Seattle Mariners Sign Japanese Pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to Four-Year Deal<\/strong><\/p>\n The Seattle Mariners have been a busy team this offseason as they\u2019ve traded talented players to other clubs, but they did something interesting last week by signing Japanese left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi<\/strong> to a four-year deal.<\/p>\n Welcome to Seattle, Yusei Kikuchi!<\/p>\n The Mariners have signed the left-handed pitcher to a four-year contract. https:\/\/t.co\/X32iy23jhV<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/cwQTFxMFFj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n GM Jerry Dipoto on the signing of the highly-touted Japanese starter. pic.twitter.com\/lb7pjFr8wB<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) January 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n It’s official. Welcome to the Mariners, Yusei! ?\u270d pic.twitter.com\/z5ZiUBIhzS<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) January 3, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The contract is unique as it\u2019s not your typical multi-year deal. The contract is worth $43 million over three years, including a four-year, $66 million extension which can be triggered by the Mariners, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.<\/p>\n Yusei Kikuchi\u2019s novel deal with the Mariners, source tells ESPN: three years and $43M, at which point the Mariners can trigger a four-year, $66M extension. If they don\u2019t, Kikuchi can either opt into free agency or accept fourth-year option at $13M. @JonHeyman<\/a> had details first.<\/p>\n \u2014 Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 1, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n If the Mariners don\u2019t exercise the option, Kikuchi can either become a free agent or accept a player option worth $13 million in 2022, per Passan.<\/p>\n Kikuchi posted a 3.08 ERA in 163 2\/3 innings pitched for the Seibu Lions last year, and in 2017, he compiled a 1.97 ERA in 187 2\/3 innings pitched with 217 strikeouts.<\/p>\n The left-hander has a three-pitch mix which features a fastball, slider, and a curveball. He profiles as someone who can be a solid third starting pitcher in a rotation, per Jon Heyman<\/strong><\/a> of Fancred Sports.<\/p>\n A significant reason the Mariners were able to sign Kikuchi is they had an exciting plan regarding his innings limit, per Corey Brock of The Athletic.<\/p>\n A big selling point for Boras\/Kikuchi was the developmental plan Seattle laid out for Kikuchi. \u2014 Corey Brock (@CoreyBrockMLB) January 3, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Mariners won\u2019t put a cap on the number of innings he throws, but every sixth start will be an abbreviated start.<\/p>\n The plan is an excellent way to protect Kikuchi\u2019s arm as he will be transitioning from starting every six or seven days to every five days in MLB.<\/p>\n This was a solid deal for both parties as the Mariners have added a quality arm to their rotation and Kikuchi signed with a team that made him feel comfortable.<\/p>\n Philadelphia Phillies Ink Reliever David Robertson to Two-Year Deal<\/strong><\/p>\n The Philadelphia Phillies have made a significant addition to their bullpen for next season, by inking reliever David Robertson<\/strong> to a two-year deal.<\/p>\n The contract is worth $23 million as Robertson will earn $10 million in 2019 and $11 million 2020, including a $12 million club option or $2 million buyout in 2021, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.<\/p>\n BREAKING: David Robertson has agreed to a two-year deal with the Phillies that guarantees him at least $23 million. He\u2019ll earn $10M in 2019, $11M in 2020, with a $12M club option ($2M buyout) for 2021. He\u2019s passed a physical and the deal is complete.<\/p>\n \u2014 Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 3, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Robertson was stellar with the Yankees in 2018 as he accumulated a 3.23 ERA in 69 2\/3 innings pitched (69 games) with 91 strikeouts, 26 walks issued, seven home runs yielded, a 136 ERA+, a 2.97 FIP and a 1.03 WHIP.<\/p>\n The right-hander has been a reliable reliever in the majors as indicated by his 2.88 ERA in 11 seasons.<\/p>\n The Phillies have added a quality arm to their bullpen, who can not only pitch during the late innings but also close games as well.<\/p>\n New York Yankees Sign Reliever Zach Britton to Three-Year Contract<\/strong><\/p>\n The New York Yankees have fortified their bullpen, by signing reliever Zach Britton<\/strong> to a three-year deal, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.<\/p>\n Britton deal with #Yankees<\/a> is three years for about $40M, source tells The Athletic. NYY can exercise fourth-year option after second year. If they do not, Britton can opt out. Option would take deal beyond $50M. Opt-out details first reported by @JonHeyman<\/a> and @JeffPassan<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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\nThey will look for ways to lessen the innings burden, but there won’t be a hard cap on innings.
\nBoth sides believe it’s a better way to acclimate him to the big leagues.<\/p>\n\n
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