The Mariners have joined the rising listing of groups occupied with Japanese star outfielder Masataka Yoshida, studies Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Morosi provides that the Mariners will likely be one among Yoshida’s “prime suitors” this winter. Nonetheless, Yoshida’s present crew, the Orix Buffaloes, should finalize the phrases of his posting settlement earlier than the deadline on December fifth.
Yoshida slashed a sturdy .336/.449/.559 with 21 homers in the course of the 2022 season, his fifth consecutive season with an on-base share better than .400. His mix of contact and energy has led to quite a lot of early curiosity within the 29-year-old, with Jon Heyman of the New York Post reporting that the Yankees are additionally wanting on the left-handed hitter.
In the course of the 2022 season, the Mariners primarily relied on an outfield trio of All-Star Julio Rodriguez and former All-Stars Mitch Haniger and Jesse Winker. That group was aided by utilitymen Dylan Moore and Sam Haggerty, former prime prospect Jarred Kelenic, and Taylor Trammell. The Mariners even have 2020 Rookie of the 12 months Kyle Lewis, who spent many of the season in Triple-A Tacoma. Of that group, solely Haniger is a free agent, leaving Seattle with a deep outfield combine.
As famous by MLBTR’s Mark Polishuk, since Yoshida has not performed sufficient to earn full free company, the Buffaloes must comply with submit their star outfielder and can be entitled to a posting charge based mostly on Yoshida’s main league contract. Below the present MLB-NPB settlement, groups occupied with Yoshida must pay the Buffaloes a charge equal to twenty% of the contract’s first $25MM, 17.5% of the following $25MM, and 15% of any {dollars} thereafter. As soon as posted, Yoshida and his representatives may have solely 30 days to barter a take care of MLB groups. If no settlement is reached in the course of the 30-day window, Yoshida must return to the Buffaloes.
Current gamers who made the soar from NPB to MLB embrace Cubs’ outfielder Seiya Suzuki. In Suzuki’s final season with the Hiroshima Carp, the righty slashed .317/.433/.636 which led him to a five-year, $85MM contract with Chicago. Nonetheless, Suzuki was solely 27-years-old when he transitioned to Majors and had posted an OPS north of 1.000 in three of his final 4 seasons with the Carp.
