Left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi has officially signed a significant contract with the Los Angeles Angels, agreeing to a three-year deal worth $63 million. This news, confirmed by sources familiar with the negotiations, highlights the Angels' aggressive approach during the offseason as they aim to revamp their struggling team.
The 33-year-old Kikuchi is set to earn $21 million annually under this contract, raising his total Major League Baseball earnings to approximately $142 million over his nine seasons. Since entering the league, Kikuchi has demonstrated versatility on the mound, showcasing his talent as both a starter and reliever.
Kikuchi's career began with the Seattle Mariners, where he spent three seasons posting a record of 41 wins and 47 losses, with a 4.57 ERA (Earned Run Average). His tenure with the Mariners included notable achievements, including being selected as an All-Star in 2021, which speaks to his potential on a high level.
After leaving Seattle, Kikuchi signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in March 2022. His contract with the Blue Jays was valued at $36 million over three years. During his stint with Toronto and later with the Houston Astros, Kikuchi continued to hone his skills. Last season, he played for both teams after being traded to the Astros midway through the year.
Last season's stats revealed Kikuchi’s mixed performance. Across 32 appearances, he recorded 9 wins and 10 losses, with a 4.05 ERA. Notably, his four-seam fastball velocity peaked at 95.5 mph, the highest of his career, indicating signs of progress and improvement.
For the Angels, this contract is particularly noteworthy as the team struggled with pitching during the 2024 season, having recorded the worst ERA (4.97) and allowing the third-most runs (499) across the American League. With Kikuchi’s signing, alongside other recent acquisitions, the Angels are attempting to address their pitching woes as they attempt to escape from what was described as the franchise's worst season performance.
The Angels also recently added other players to their roster, including bringing left-handed pitcher Tyler Anderson and right-handers José Soriano and Kyle Hendricks—who joined after ending his time with the Chicago Cubs. These moves suggest the Angels are actively seeking to bolster their rotation for the upcoming season.
Despite these efforts, the Angels finished the 2024 season with only 63 wins, marking their ninth consecutive losing season and the first time since Shohei Ohtani left for the Dodgers. They haven't reached the playoffs since 2014, which has raised concerns among fans and analysts alike about the future direction of the franchise.
Kikuchi’s addition could be pivotal for the Angels as they look to turn things around going forward. With his experience and talent, fans and team management alike are hoping he can contribute to revival efforts. His previous success and recent high-level performances convey optimism about restoring the Angels’ competitiveness.
The deal will reportedly be finalized following Kikuchi passing a routine physical, as is customary with player contracts. This signing is being closely watched, not only for the immediate impact it may have on the Angels but also for what it reflects about the broader trends and strategies within Major League Baseball as teams prepare for the coming season.