Hot Stove Lunch: Red Sox will get an early look at newest Japanese import

At the winter meetings in Las Vegas last month, Alex Cora expressed some relief the Sox wouldn't have to face tough lefty James Paxton on Opening Night. (Paxton was traded by the Seattle Mariners -- the Sox opponents to start the 2019 season. Of course, Cora later acknowledged that because Paxton got dealt to the Yankees, the Sox will see him plenty, perhaps as much as four or five times during the season, thanks to the unbalanced schedule).

Instead, the Sox might get another lefty -- if not on Opening Night, then certainly soon after -- with the news this week that the Mariners had signed Japanese lefty Yusei Kikuchi.

Kikuchi signed a four-year deal with Seattle, and if he doesn't start Game 1 in 2019, he'll certainly face the Sox over the course of their first series, which lasts four games with the Mariners.

The Sox didn't have an obvious need for Kikuchi, but internally, were said to have some reservations about how well Kikuchi would pitch here. Not the least of their concerns: his history of shoulder issues in Japan.

Either way, very early in the season, the Sox will get their first look at the lefty -- up close -- and determine whether their reservations were well-founded.

Elsewhere...

AL EAST

How would an infield with both Troy Tulowitzki and Manny Machado work?

The Orioles continued to add to their front office.

The Rays' inability to get a new ballpark means they could be on the move.

Despite trade rumors, the Jays aren't looking to move Marcus Stroman.

AL CENTRAL

The Indians will be counting on these players to improve in 2019.

Nelson Cruz is bullish on his new team.

The Tigers have a pitching prospect whose time has come.

With all their speed, the Royals could set stolen base records.

AL WEST

Gio Gonzalez could help the Astros' rotation.

A look at the Rangers' top pitching prospects.

Joakim Soria's deal with the A's includes incentives for closing games.

Signing Kikuchi gives the Mariners some credibility 

NATIONAL LEAGUE

The Cubs found a new bench coach with Red Sox ties.

HOT TAKE I MIGHT SOON REGRET

One of the more tiresome stories this winter is the Marlins ongoing trade discussions for catcher J.T. Realmuto.

Since the World Series ended, the Marlins have engaged in talks with a half-dozen or more teams, each time failing to complete the deal.

Their asking price is said to be unreasonably high -- they asked for Cody Bellinger from the Dodgers and Ozzie Albies from the Braves. No wonder they can't get a deal done.

It seems obvious that the Marlins view Realmuto as their golden ticket to help restock their roster as they rebuild and they won't settle for anything less than a superstar prospect or young player. But the danger in asking for so much is that they might get "stuck'' with Realmuto, who will be a very good player playing for a very bad team.