Foreign player signing overview
Josh Lindblom was an ace in the KBO who looks like a low end #3 starter or a high end #4 starter here in the MLB. He might have a fastball that sits at 91 mph, but his fastball has an especially high spin rate for it's speed, his secondary pitches are very good, especially his splitter and he uses them well. He's got three years and $9.125 million guaranteed and his incentives package which can bring his total to $18 million over those years if he can hit all of them. He'll likely be worth the price and then some. After all, he's better than Merrill Kelly who had already earned his entire guaranteed contract value in one season and the Brewers might just help him improve further.
Kwang Hyun Kim is a Korean left hander with a fringey fastball that averages 91 and he's got some filthy secondary pitches, especially his slider. He should be a slightly worse pitcher than Lindblom since he had control and command issues prior to his Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss all of 2017. He was previously posted by the SK Wyverns back in 2014 when the Padres attempted to sign him but failed to offer him enough money. The Cardinals just got a steal of a deal with Kim at two years and $8 million.
Shun Yamaguchi is a spliiter specialist that sits around 90 mph with his fastball and other fringey pitches aside from his nasty splitter. He was the best pitcher in the NPB last year (due to injuries and underperformance) with 6.6 WAR. Here in America he should be a good #4 starter that gets strikeouts, but has some walk problems and at two years and $6.5 million that's perfectly fine. It was surprising to see him be posted by the Central League's Yomuri Giants since they normally NEVER post players using the posting system. However, the new posting system has helped teams get deals done and helped expand interest in players from foreign leagues.
Yoshitomo Tsutsugo is a solid slugger that has good plate discipline and 25-30 home run power here in the MLB while the 44 he hit in 2016 for the Yokohama DeNa BayStars in the NPB's Central League looks unrepeatable. He should be an excellent substitute for Avisail Garcia especially since Tampa can help him with improved defensive positioning. The last time the Rays had a Japanese player he didn't perform as expected, but Akinori Iwamura was still worth what he was being paid. Tsutsugo's two year $14 million deal should bring more production to the Tampa Bay Rays lineup at a low cost.
Shogo Akiyama: The Reds signed the former Saitama Seibu Lions center fielder to a three year 21 million dollar deal to play center field, although he can play all over the outfield. His offensive skill set should play very well here considering he can steal bases, hit 20 home runs, can take walks and hit for a good average. He should be worth the investment and continue playing in America unless an NPB team offers him more money (just like the Tokyo Yakult Swallows did for Norichika Aoki a few years ago)
Pierce Johnson made a dramatic change in his fastball velocity, his curveball became a devastating weapon against opposing hitters and his control seriously improved in just one season in Japan's top league with the Hanshin Tigers of the Central League. He should be a candidate to get saves should Kirby Yates be traded or if he gets injured. His two year $5 million deal is a steal.
Joely Rodriguez throws a wicked splitter with a low spin rate (1100 rpm) while ramping up his fastball velocity to levels that were previously seen as a Pirates pitching prospect for two seasons in Japan with the Chunichi Dragons of the Central League. He's another closer capable reliever who should be a valuable reliever at two years and $5.5 million.
Kwang Hyun Kim is a Korean left hander with a fringey fastball that averages 91 and he's got some filthy secondary pitches, especially his slider. He should be a slightly worse pitcher than Lindblom since he had control and command issues prior to his Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss all of 2017. He was previously posted by the SK Wyverns back in 2014 when the Padres attempted to sign him but failed to offer him enough money. The Cardinals just got a steal of a deal with Kim at two years and $8 million.
Shun Yamaguchi is a spliiter specialist that sits around 90 mph with his fastball and other fringey pitches aside from his nasty splitter. He was the best pitcher in the NPB last year (due to injuries and underperformance) with 6.6 WAR. Here in America he should be a good #4 starter that gets strikeouts, but has some walk problems and at two years and $6.5 million that's perfectly fine. It was surprising to see him be posted by the Central League's Yomuri Giants since they normally NEVER post players using the posting system. However, the new posting system has helped teams get deals done and helped expand interest in players from foreign leagues.
Yoshitomo Tsutsugo is a solid slugger that has good plate discipline and 25-30 home run power here in the MLB while the 44 he hit in 2016 for the Yokohama DeNa BayStars in the NPB's Central League looks unrepeatable. He should be an excellent substitute for Avisail Garcia especially since Tampa can help him with improved defensive positioning. The last time the Rays had a Japanese player he didn't perform as expected, but Akinori Iwamura was still worth what he was being paid. Tsutsugo's two year $14 million deal should bring more production to the Tampa Bay Rays lineup at a low cost.
Shogo Akiyama: The Reds signed the former Saitama Seibu Lions center fielder to a three year 21 million dollar deal to play center field, although he can play all over the outfield. His offensive skill set should play very well here considering he can steal bases, hit 20 home runs, can take walks and hit for a good average. He should be worth the investment and continue playing in America unless an NPB team offers him more money (just like the Tokyo Yakult Swallows did for Norichika Aoki a few years ago)
Pierce Johnson made a dramatic change in his fastball velocity, his curveball became a devastating weapon against opposing hitters and his control seriously improved in just one season in Japan's top league with the Hanshin Tigers of the Central League. He should be a candidate to get saves should Kirby Yates be traded or if he gets injured. His two year $5 million deal is a steal.
Joely Rodriguez throws a wicked splitter with a low spin rate (1100 rpm) while ramping up his fastball velocity to levels that were previously seen as a Pirates pitching prospect for two seasons in Japan with the Chunichi Dragons of the Central League. He's another closer capable reliever who should be a valuable reliever at two years and $5.5 million.
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