Japanese hurler Kikuchi soon free to sign MLB deal

TOKYO The Seibu Lions will begin the posting process for left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi on Dec. 3 so that he can negotiate with teams in Major League Baseball.

The posting period begins on Dec. 5, and Kikuchi will have 30 days to sign a contract with a major-league team. The Lions would then receive a posting fee based on the dollar amount of the pitcher’s contract. If he fails to reach a deal within 30 days, he remains with the Lions.

Kikuchi attended a Seibu team event on Friday and told reporters the posting process would begin on Dec. 3.

Since Kikuchi cannot file for international free agency until 2020, he needed Seibu’s approval in order to use the posting system and move to the majors.

Kikuchi owns a 73-46 career record with a 2.77 ERA in Nippon Professional Baseball. He went 14-4 this year and struck out 153 batters in 1632/3 innings.

All postings by NPB teams must occur between Nov. 1 and Dec. 5, with a 30-day negotiating window to follow.

Under the posting system, a Japanese team posting a player to the majors will receive a fee based on an agreed percentage of the value of the contract, bonuses and incentives.

The fee will be 20 per cent of the first $25 million of a major-league contract, including bonuses and options. The percentage drops to 17.5 per cent of the next $25 million and 15 per cent of any amount over $50 million.

Meanwhile, in Kansas City, Mike Matheny has been hired by the Royals as a special adviser for player development, putting the former St. Louis Cardinals manager in position as a possible successor to Royals manager Ned Yost.

The 64-year-old Yost has managed the Royals since 2010 and led the team to the 2015 World Series title. Kansas City announced on the final day of this season he had agreed to a contract for 2019.

The 48-year-old Matheny succeeded Tony La Russa as the Cardinals’ manager after St. Louis won the 2011 Series and became the first manager to lead his team into the playoffs in each of his first four seasons. He was fired on July 14 this year with the Cardinals at 47-46.