The Los Angeles Angels bolstered their standing as the most aggressive team of the offseason thus far, agreeing Monday to their biggest splash yet: a three-year, $63 million deal with left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, a source briefed on the deal confirmed.
Kikuchi, The Athletic’s No. 14 ranked free agent this offseason, netted a deal exactly in line with Tim Britton’s contract projection. The deal, first reported by the New York Post, is the largest expenditure thus far during the Angels’ busy winter.
The 33-year-old Kikuchi was an All-Star in 2021 and made 32 starts in each of the past two seasons with a 105 ERA+, making him a slightly above-average pitcher. But he shined this season after a trade deadline deal sent him from the Toronto Blue Jays — where he had a 4.75 ERA — to the Houston Astros, where he posted a 2.70 ERA down the stretch.
Kikuchi threw fewer curveballs and more sliders, a tweak that yielded results the Angels hope to see over full seasons. He figures to slot into the rotation spot created when the Angels non-tendered lefty Patrick Sandoval on Friday.
The Angels, coming off the worst season in franchise history, have added $80 million in payroll by adding four free agents (Kikuchi, Kevin Newman, Kyle Hendricks and Travis d’Arnaud) and have swung trades to acquire Scott Kingery and slugger Jorge Soler.
(Photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images)
