MLB Trade Rumors and News: Yusei Kikuchi signs fascinating deal with the Mariners

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• While the Mariners have appeared to be in sell-off mode as Jerry DiPoto has seemingly been looking to unload any player that isn’t nailed to the floor, Seattle made a fascinating move that brought in Yusei Kikuchi on a four year deal with the potential for significantly more than that. While the specifics of Kikuchi’s contract are fascinating, what is arguably even more fascinating is the Mariners, a team seemingly undertaking a rebuild and shedding salary, making this move at all.
• Our own Cristiana Caruso went through all of the work that we here at MLB Daily Dish have done over the past year and put together a Best of 2018 that we thought you might enjoy. 2018 was a busy year here at the Dish and we hope that you continue to enjoy the content here in 2019 and beyond.
• The Padres have traded Clayton Richard to the Blue Jays in exchange for minor league outfielder Conor Panas. This gives San Diego a little more salary space to play with and the chance to bolster their young lineup.
• Grading the First Half of the Offseason: How the AL East has done so far this winter. We can only assume that Toronto read this article, resulting in the subsequent pitching moves they made after it was published, so you’re welcome everyone.
• Needing a friend to keep Matt Harvey company on the West Coast, the Angels have signed Jonathan Lucroy to one-year deal. It’s a beautiful friendship already in the making.
• Blue Jays have signed veteran pitcher Matt Shoemaker to a one-year deal. While the righty will earn $3.5M for the year, much like all of my friend’s and their significant others, the Blue Jays will control him until 2020 while offering little payout.
• Another bat is off the market as veteran slugger Nelson Cruz inked a deal with the Minnesota Twins. It is only a one year deal with a club option for another, but it does seem to be true that the Twins are not going to just let the Indians win the division next year without a bit of a fight.
• The trade talks for Indians ace Corey Kluber are heating up, as it looks as if the Padres, Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers and Reds have the most interest in acquiring the two-time AL Cy Young winner.
• After non-tendering him, the Athletics have agreed to a two-year deal with Mike Fiers, everyone’s favorite fifth starter and tattoo connoisseur. One could say that the Athletics are no longer playing Fiers-less baseball. Please stop throwing things at me.
• The Blue Jays and Padres are discussing a deal involving Marcus Stroman. It’s in San Diego’s best interests to snag another starter, and the Blue Jays would receive some young talent to freshen up their farm system in return.
• The Reds and Dodgers have finalized a massive seven-player trade. So if you asked Santa to Yasiel Puig in a Cincinnati Red’s uniform then do I have good news for you. Dodgers fans, look away. Many are looking to this Puig salary dump and now open outfielder position as Los Angeles preparing for a hard and fast run at Bryce Harper. Could the Dodgers be close to sealing that deal?
• Why do we even bother with the Winter Meetings when all the action goes down after the fact? The Rays, Athletics, and Rangers complete a three-team trade headlined by Jurickson Profar heading to Oakland.
• The Rockies seem primed to lose some players this offseason, but they are on the right track in terms of reloading as they snatched up Daniel Murphy on a two year deal. Murphy is expected to play at first base a decent bit because his defensive acumen is...well....lacking.
• Anibal Sanchez resurrected his career with the Braves last season after nearly starting the season without a job at all. After he helped Atlanta win the National League East division crown in 2018, Sanchez was rewarded with a two year deal with an option for a third year from the Nationals. Miracles do happen, kids.
• Major League Baseball and its Cuban counterparts have had a tough relationship in the past given the political climate and restrictions between the United States and Cuba. Yesterday, a historic agreement was reached between the two parties that will allow Cuban players to join MLB without having to defect. The agreement still faces some real challenges from outside political forces, but this is a big step in the right direction.
• How ‘A League Of Their Own’ impacted the way people see women in sports.
• It’s safe to say that this year’s gathering of general managers far and wide left baseball fans a tad underwhelmed. But despite how acute some of the move were, there were still clear and present winners and losers of the 2018 MLB Winter Meetings. I’ll give you two guesses on the big losers.