As of 5am this morning, teams were free to begin negotiating with Japan’s Pacific League pitcher Yusei Kikuchi after his posting by the Seibu Lions became official. You might recall back in September that the Giants were one of the Major League teams seen scouting him at the end of his season.
I said at the time:
Kikuchi turns 28 next June. He’s pitched for the Seibu Lions all nine years of his pro career (though he did split his age-20 year with the Australian League’s Melbourne Aces). He stands out because he can throw 98 mph and his slider has a Randy Johnsonesque bite to it.