Yusei Kikuchi is a perfect fit for the Mariners window, roster

via The Japan TimesAs is commonplace with almost every Japanese player making the transition from Nippon Professional Baseball to the Major Leagues, the Mariners have been connected to the latest pitcher making the cross-pacific move. Yusei Kikuchi was posted earlier this month by his Japanese club, the Saitama Seibu Lions, and reports out of the Winter Meetings this week have linked him with a number of teams including the Mariners. As TJ Cotterill reported yesterday, the Mariners interest in Kikuchi isn’t just a formality, Jerry Dipoto is seriously pursuing the Japanese lefty.

On the surface, signing Kikuchi this offseason might not seem like a fit for the Mariners who are clearly…