If the Texas Rangers are on the hunt for legitimate starting pitching this offseason, could they look past the headliners in Dallas Keuchel and Patrick Corbin pursuing instead, Japanese star, Yusei Kikuchi? Kikuchi is expected to be posted by his club, the Seibu Lions, in Nippon Professional Baseball this winter and will draw interest from numerous suitors including the Texas Rangers.
Kikuchi, 27 years old, is the headliner of those looking to make a switch to Major League Baseball this offseason. Named as an All-Star this season, Kikuchi is a hard throwing lefty who has emerged as the class of starting pitching in the NPB in 2018.