Experienced left-handed starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi has agreed to the terms and conditions with the angel with a three-year, $63 million free agent contract, reports the New York Post.
Kickuchi, 33, is coming off a 2024 season in which he posted a 4.05 ERA (99 ERA+) and 3.46 FIP in 32 combined starts Toronto Blue Jays And Houston Astroswho acquired him from the Jays before last season's trade deadline. In 175 2/3 combined innings, Kikuchi recorded 206 strikeouts versus 44 unintentional walks. His time in Houston was nothing short of spectacular, posting a 2.70 ERA in 10 starts.
At the start of the offseason, CBS Sports ranked Kikuchi as the 20th available free agent in the current class. Here is part of our article:
The Astros faltered at the trade deadline when they traded some of their top prospects (a relative description) to Kikuchi. It was less about talent and more about execution. Kikuchi has long been considered phenomenal; He rarely played like that. Still, he performed well for the Astros, posting a 147 ERA+ and a 5.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 10 starts. Kikuchi's improvements came from some surprisingly obvious improvements: He reduced his fastball and curve usage and instead spammed his slider more than 37% of the time. Logic dictates that the teams probably carry no more weight in 10 starts than they did in the previous 144. Still, it only takes one True Believer for Kikuchi to land a richer deal than expected.
For his career, Kikuchi has an OPS+ of 91 in parts of six Seasons. However, the adjustments and resulting results Kikuchi experienced with Houston raise his profile going forward more than his usual career numbers would suggest.
The Angels have been the best performing team so far this winter (although that's a low bar) and have already added Jorge Soler, Travis d'Arnaud, Kyle Hendricks and Kevin Newman. With a franchise-worst 99 games played in 2024, there is no other way but up for Arte Moreno's squad, but moving into the offseason to lead a young core, including Logan O'Hoppe and Zach Neto, could really put the Angels in trouble in a place where you can fight. And hey, remember Mike Trout?