Kikuchi went through a lot of anguish in Seattle and in his first year in Toronto. Since the start of 2023 he has probably felt the best and happiest he ever has, as an MLB pitcher.
Have to think he would take SOME sort of hometown discount. He is also 33 in two months so a big contract is probably not on the table for him, especially with his track record being spotty.
The comps from last year would be Sonny Gray and Seth Lugo, I think. Two 34 year olds coming off of good years wire to wire, and projecting decetly.
3/$75M for Sonny Gray
3/$45M for Lugo
In both instances the signing team was aggressive.
Stroman last year is sort of a comp but he had such a brutal second half in 2023.