Blue Jays Bolster Rotation with Kikuchi signing
The Toronto Blue Jays have made a meaningful move to strengthen their pitching staff, reportedly agreeing to a three-year, $36 million contract with left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi. This news comes from TSN, a sister station, on Saturday, March 12, 2022.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the Blue Jays have shown interest in Kikuchi. Sources indicate the team pursued him before he signed with the Seattle Mariners in 2019.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the deal will see Kikuchi earn $16 million in 2022, followed by $10 million annually in 2023 and 2024.
Kikuchi brings valuable experience to the Blue Jays, having spent the last three seasons with the Mariners. His 2021 campaign was his most impressive since entering Major League Baseball, boasting a 4.41 ERA over 157 innings and 29 starts.
With this acquisition, the Blue Jays’ projected starting rotation looks formidable. The lineup is expected to feature Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, Hyun Jin ryu, Alek Manoah, and now, Yusei Kikuchi. This powerful rotation could be a key factor in the Blue Jays’ pursuit of a deep playoff run in the upcoming season.
Inside the Blue Jays Rotation: A Conversation with Tom Candiotti
Every baseball fan knows the feeling of anticipation that swirls around the start of a new season. It’s a time for fresh starts, bold predictions, adn, of course, savvy off-season moves. This year is no different, with teams across the league making splashes in free agency. Today, we’re focusing on one particular team and move: the Toronto Blue Jays signing left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year, $36 million contract.
Joining us today to dissect this move is three-time All-Star and esteemed MLB analyst, Tom Candiotti. Tom,welcome back to the show?
Tom Candiotti: Thanks for having me again,it’s always great to be back talking baseball.
Host: Let’s dive right in. The Blue Jays just paid a substantial sum to bring Kikuchi in. Do you think it’s a wise investment considering his career thus far?
Tom Candiotti: It’s definitely an interesting move. Kikuchi has shown flashes of brilliance,but consistency has been a challenge for him. Remember his 2021 season with the Mariners? You saw a glimpse of his potential—a 4.41 ERA isn’t bad—but he also struggled at times. The Blue Jays are betting on him tapping into that upside more consistently.
Host: The Blue Jays have assembled quiet a formidable rotation with Berrios, Gausman, Ryu, Manoah, and now Kikuchi. On paper, it looks dominant.
Tom Candiotti: Absolutely. On paper, this rotation arguably rivals some of the best in the league.
But, as we know, baseball isn’t played on paper. Health and chemistry are crucial factors, and those are things you can’t predict.Still, it’s exciting to see the Blue Jays making thes bold moves.
Host: Right. So, let’s talk about Kikuchi specifically. He’s had one foot in and out of the rotation for a couple of seasons. What do you think he needs to do to solidify his spot in this stacked rotation?
Tom Candiotti: It boils down to command and consistency. Kikuchi has a fantastic fastball and can be really deceptive with his slider, but he sometimes struggles with control.
If he can locate his pitches with more precision, he’ll be able to keep hitters off balance and pitch deeper into games.
Host: Will the pressure of pitching for a contender like Toronto affect him?
Tom Candiotti: That’s a valid concern. Playing in a high-pressure environment with high expectations can be a double-edged sword.
For some players, it elevates their performance, but for others, it can be overwhelming.
It will be interesting to see how Kikuchi handles the expectations in Toronto.
Host: With Kikuchi adding left-handed depth, Threepitch.com readers, what do you think this means for the potential usage of other lefty options like Ryan Borucki?
Tom Candiotti: That’s a great question for a debate.
Can Toronto really use all these arms? It’s more likely Borucki finds himself bouncing between the bullpen and Triple-A. The competition for spots will be fierce.
Host: The consensus from our experts seems to perfectly align with your analysis.
Tom, thanks as always for
your insightful perspective. fans, what do you think?
Is this signing a game-changer for the Blue Jays or is there cause for concern? Let us know in the comments below, and keep the baseball conversation going!
