Aggressive Angels land LHP Yusei Kikuchi on $63M pact

Field Level Media|published: 11/25/2024, 10:12am EST

Sep 25, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (16) delivers a pitch against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi agreed to a three-year, $63 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels, according to multiple reports Monday.

Kikuchi, 33, started 32 games with a record of 9-10 last season between the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros.

Houston acquired the southpaw prior to the trade deadline and he finished the season with a 2.70 ERA in 10 starts (76 strikeouts, 14 walks) with the Astros. He totaled 206 strikeouts in 175 2/3 innings

Kikuchi joins a parade of veterans signed by the 99-loss Angels since the start of free agency. Their roster remake already includes right-hander Kyle Hendricks (Cubs), catcher Travis d'Arnaud (Braves) and infielder Kevin Newman (Diamondbacks) and trade acquisitions of slugger Jorge Soler and infielder Scott Kingery.

Prior to 2024, Kikuchi also made 32 starts in 2023 and 2019.

Signed by the Seattle Mariners in 2019, Kikuchi was 8-15 in his first two seasons with an ERA over 5.00.

After a 7-9 season in 2021, he moved to the Blue Jays in 2022 and spent two-plus seasons in Toronto. In his MLB career, Kikuchi is 41-47 with a 4.57 ERA in 166 games (154 starts).

--Field Level Media