MLB Roundup 1/2: Yusei Kikuchi signs with Seattle

Photo by Hamish Blair/Getty ImagesThere was no Shohei Ohtani coming over from Japan in free agency this winter — Ohtani was, of course, a once-in-a-generation free agent — but left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi is a solid free agent in his own right. Not many see ace potential for the southpaw like some other recent Japanese pitchers to be posted and signed to big-money deals, but in a somewhat weak starting pitching class Kikuchi was one of the best starters available this winter. He was officially posted back in early December, and he has now officially signed. The southpaw signed an interesting contract with three guaranteed years with the Mariners.

First, the contract. As mentioned, there…