Yearly Archives: 2018

Commentary, News, Yusei Kikuchi

Boras: Kikuchi interest “intense”

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Agent Scott Boras tells a throng of reporters at the winter meetings in Las Vegas about his clients.

 

LAS VEGAS – Agent Scott Boras called the interest in Seibu Lions left-hander Yusei Kikuchi “intense” on Wednesday, when he held court at baseball’s winter meetings.

Kikuchi has been on the market since Dec. 5, has already had his physical, and is expected to arrive in Los Angeles in the coming days, Boras said.




“He’s the only 27-year-old left-handed starting pitcher on the market,” Boras said “He’s viewed very differently, because of the acquistion cost. You have to pay a posting fee. Clubs feel he has a very fresh arm, unlike a lot of Japanese pitchers. He did not throw in NPB at 18 or 19, so he has very limited innings compared to some of the other Japanese pitchers that have come over.”

“We think the teams are very aware of his value. Remember, too, that a Japanese pitcher of reputation may offer major league teams an economic incentive. Because there’s a lot about the partnership with Japanese companies that bring value. They’re very pleased about having in their market place a star Japanese player.”

Kikuchi has been deactivated three times when the Seibu Lions attributed the reason as shoulder issues:

When he was left off the Opening Day roster in his first year (2010) and was not activated until the end of September.
When he missed one start in the middle of the 2013 season.
When he missed five weeks at the start of this past season with shoulder stiffness.

“People write that he’s had a history of shoulder trouble, but that is not accurate,” a member of Boras’ staff said.




When he was Daisuke Matsuzaka’s agent in 2006, Boras reportedly encouraged Matsuzaka to turn down a last-minute offer from the Boston Red Sox and return to his Japanese club, the same Seibu Lions. But at that time, posted players were limited to speaking with the lone team that bid the highest for his negotiating rights in a closed bid.

“If we strike a deal we could have it done in a short period of time,” Boras said. “We’re still negotiating,” Boras said. “Normally, you get things done in advance of a deadline, because that makes it a little more difficult. I’m sure he’ll have a deal before Jan. 2.”

“We’ve had many meetings. We have all of his physicals in order for the team. And all that’s final. He’s ready to sign at any time.”

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Ausmus not expecting Ohtani for Opening day

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LAS VEGAS – New Los Angeles Angels manager Brad Ausmus said Wednesday at baseball’s winter meetings that he doesn’t anticipate Shohei Ohtani will be ready for Opening Day next spring. He also said he expects Ohtani’s success to have ripple effects through the game.

I think young athletes, young baseball players are going to say, ‘Hey, why can’t I do that?’ In that respect, I think he’s going to have a huge impact on the youth in baseball.”

Asked whether Albert Pujols’ knee trouble will cause a logjam at designated hitter with Ohtani limited to batting following Tommy John surgery, Ausmus said it wouldn’t be an issue early on.

“We don’t expect Ohtani to be ready when the team breaks, so there’ll be more DH at-bats open to him (Pujols) early in the season,” Ausmus said. “For me, the bigger and more delicate balance is how often he can go to first based on the heath of his knees.”



“We want to protect that elbow so he can pitch in 2020 and beyond. He’s such a dominant pitcher and you want to make sure you preserve that. We’re probably going to rely on the medical team a little more and be a little more cautious. We want him back, because we want his bat in the lineup. But the priority is to make sure that when he comes back we’re not risking him as a pitcher. We’re not sure on the exact date now.”

Ausmus, who was with the Angels early in spring training, took in Ohtani’s first batting practice and said he couldn’t help but be impressed.

“The one thing that stood out was how the ball came off his bat,” Ausmus said. “The only way I can describe it is to say that it’s very similar to Miguel Cabrera. Both guys have tremendous power, and most noticeable they have tremendous power to the opposite field. You just don’t see guys like that. The other thing that is impressive is his speed. That doesn’t get showcased as much because he’s not playing a position as often. He’s one of the faster guys. I don’t know who’s faster, he or Trouty, there both two of the faster guys in the league.”



Because of the various injuries Ohtani has suffered the past two years, the question of whether a two-way player is viable in the majors remains hotly debated. But Ausmus believes the youngster’s success will open minds to alternatives.

“We want to protect that elbow so he can pitch in 2020 and beyond. He’s such a dominant pitcher and you want to make sure you preserve that. “He’s doing things that no one’s done in a long time,” Ausmus said. “…Because of what he’s doing, you’re going to see more two-way players going forward. I think young athletes, young baseball players are going to say, ‘Hey, why can’t I do that?’ In that respect, I think he’s going to have a huge impact on the youth in baseball.”