Tigers interested in 18 year old Japanese southpaw - Yusei Kikuchi

**blueadams** · 10-07-2009, 12:15 PM

He could become the first japanese high schooler to go straight to the mlb.

Will Yusei Kikuchi Choose MLB?: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

**blueadams** · 10-07-2009, 12:18 PM

Hopefully we can sign him before the hype (aka price) gets out of control!

**FloridaTigers** · 10-07-2009, 12:21 PM

No way the Tigers get him.

**blueadams** · 10-07-2009, 12:23 PM

idk...it doesnt seem that different than offering high draft picks...porcello, miller, maybin, etc...a lot of money. sort of fits into our philosophy as long as it doesnt get into dice-k territory.

**Microline133** · 10-07-2009, 12:44 PM

They also recently signed LHP Hua-Wei Lo from Taiwan for a six-figure bonus....their presence is increasing in the Pacific Rim.

**Mr. Bigglesworth** · 10-07-2009, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by blueadams

Hopefully we can sign him before the hype (aka price) gets out of control!

10 teams are reportedly interested, and an article has been written about him on mlb.com. I'd say it is a pretty safe bet all MLB teams are aware of him, and have him valued appropriately in their minds.

**Eric Cioe** · 10-07-2009, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Microline133

They also recently signed LHP Hua-Wei Lo from Taiwan for a six-figure bonus....their presence is increasing in the Pacific Rim.

That's a great sign. You look at a guy like Ni and see that you can pick up very usable players up over there for not very much money.

**Microline133** · 10-07-2009, 01:27 PM

Lo is a long way from the big leagues, he's still a teenager.

**Eric Cioe** · 10-07-2009, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by Microline133

Lo is a long way from the big leagues, he's still a teenager.

Sure, that's fine. But it's an easy way to pick up useful prospects for not very much money.

**JohnJMS** · 10-07-2009, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by FloridaTigers

No way the Tigers get him.

Why?

**Shinzaki** · 10-07-2009, 01:44 PM

Because Leyland doesn't bunt enough...

**Microline133** · 10-07-2009, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Eric Cioe

Sure, that's fine. But it's an easy way to pick up useful prospects for not very much money.

Don't underestimate how much these guys cost.

I don't have a firm number, but I've been told by two sources that Lo's number was nearing the mid- six figure range....that's the type of money you usually give high round draft choices. These guys aren't coming cheap....just like Ni didn't, just like Aird didn't, and just like Kikuchi won't.

**djhutch** · 10-07-2009, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by Shinzaki

Because Leyland doesn't bunt enough...

Beautiful.

**DaYooperASBDT** · 10-07-2009, 04:52 PM

The Tigers offered $250,000 and he said, "Hua. Wei Lo."

**Antrat** · 10-07-2009, 04:53 PM

But can he hold his liquor?

**DaYooperASBDT** · 10-07-2009, 05:00 PM

Doesn't matter. If he has any martial arts training then he'll win all of the bar fights anyway.

**DGTigers** · 10-07-2009, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by DaYooperASBDT

Doesn't matter. If he has any martial arts training then he'll win all of the bar fights anyway.

I'll fight him still if I get my click clack

**blueadams** · 10-07-2009, 06:08 PM

regardless, its nice to see us getting in on this action!

**catswithbats** · 10-07-2009, 08:27 PM

He'll go to Boston. They seem to be stockpiling Japanese pitchers.

**ToledoTigerFan** · 10-07-2009, 08:33 PM

At some point, there will either have to be an international draft or have all amatuer players be free agents. It's not fair that an 18 year old kid from the USA has to enter MLB as a draftee, but an 18-year old international kid is free to negotiate with every team.

**Microline133** · 10-07-2009, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by catswithbats

He'll go to Boston. They seem to be stockpiling Japanese pitchers.

Signing three Japanese and one Taiwanese pitcher, constitutes stockpiling?

**catswithbats** · 10-07-2009, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by Microline133

Signing three Japanese and one Taiwanese pitcher, constitutes stockpiling?

I was being sarcastic.

**Corky** · 10-07-2009, 08:52 PM

THis Thread Title sounds more like a Cougar thread than a Tigers thread.

**KleShreen** · 10-07-2009, 10:07 PM

I can't wait for Darvish to come stateside.

**witz57** · 10-08-2009, 01:42 AM

Me too on Darvish. I wish Iwakuma would come over though. He's older, but he was just flat out nasty in the WBC and he looked I thought he was the best of their pitchers I saw live.

**catswithbats** · 10-08-2009, 05:04 AM

Originally Posted by KleShreen

I can't wait for Darvish to come stateside.

Hasn't he said he will never come to Major League Baseball?

**KleShreen** · 10-08-2009, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by catswithbats

Hasn't he said he will never come to Major League Baseball?

He will eventually. They all do. He can't stay away from the big bucks for too long.

This is what he said in November 2008:

Don't look for Yu Darvish to be pitching in America any time soon. Patrick at NPB Tracker speculates that Darvish might actually be thankful for Junichi Tazawa taking some of the MLB spotlight and speculation off of him.

Darvish told a crowd of over 43,000 fans that he "isn't dreaming of Major League Baseball," and wants to win 200 games in his Japanese career. He's got a ways to go, but he's about 25% of the way there with 48 career NPB wins.

Darvish, 22, has posted a 31-9 record with a 1.85 ERA and 418 Ks through 408.1 IP in the past two seasons. He also said he would accept an invitation to play for Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

**Country Strong** · 10-14-2009, 10:05 AM

Yusei Kikuchi To Meet With Seven MLB Teams: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

So maybe the Tigers are already out of the running?

**DaYooperASBDT** · 10-14-2009, 11:39 AM

Why overpay when the Tigers are drafting so well? Crosby might be in Detroit by September, or at least 2011.

**Dunkin Darvin** · 10-14-2009, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by DaYooperASBDT

Why overpay when the Tigers are drafting so well? Crosby might be in Detroit by September, or at least 2011.

How do we really know they are over paying for these guys though? For all we know Lo could end up as a better prospect than Crosby. Also The reason they have drafted well lately is because they are "overpaying" some of their better prospects. Daniel Fields for instance, was taking in the sixth round and got 1st/2nd round money. Crosby was also taken in the 6th round I believe, or close to it, and was paid something like second round money.

So if they pay guys they draft or international guys they sign a price that is considered "overpaying" it is still much cheaper than signing high price free agent like some teams try to do.

**DaYooperASBDT** · 10-14-2009, 02:36 PM

I was referring to Kikuchi, who I'm confident will be overpaid. Ni, OTOH was a bargain and I'm all for scouring
the globe for prospects. I'm leery about getting into bidding wars, because often the "non-name" guys turn out
to be just as good, or better?

**holygoat** · 10-14-2009, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Country Strong

Yusei Kikuchi To Meet With Seven MLB Teams: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

Interesting. Just one month ago he said he would definitely stay in Japan.

**DaYooperASBDT** · 10-14-2009, 02:50 PM

Give me enough money, and I'd go to Bangladesh.

**Dunkin Darvin** · 10-14-2009, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by DaYooperASBDT

I was referring to Kikuchi, who I'm confident will be overpaid. Ni, OTOH was a bargain and I'm all for scouring
the globe for prospects. I'm leery about getting into bidding wars, because often the "non-name" guys turn out
to be just as good, or better?

Ahh okay I got ya, sorry about that. I agree with your about that, I think its great to go after these international guys but when you get into the big bidding wars, like Dice-K or like there would be for Darvish, I'd stay out of those.