Angels Make a Splash with Yusei Kikuchi Signing

The Los Angeles Angels have been the most aggressive team in free agency this offseason, continuing their bold approach with their first major signing, left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi. The deal, officially announced on Wednesday, is a three-year, $63 million contract, making it the largest deal since Perry Minasian became the general manager in 2020.

Strengthening the Rotation
This acquisition represents a significant upgrade to the Angels' rotation, following their one-year, $2.5 million signing of right-hander Kyle Hendricks. Kikuchi immediately steps in as the ace of the staff, providing a much-needed boost after the team's disappointing 99-loss season in 2024.

Kikuchi's Recent Performance
Kikuchi, 33, is coming off one of the best stretches of his Major League career, which included a midseason trade to the Houston Astros. He began his professional career with eight seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball before joining the Seattle Mariners for his first three MLB seasons. He then signed a three-year, $36 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays ahead of the 2022 season. Between his time in Seattle and Toronto, Kikuchi posted a 4.72 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP.

Midseason Turnaround
Kikuchi saw remarkable improvement after his trade to the Astros on July 29. In 10 starts down the stretch, he recorded a 2.70 ERA with a 0.93 WHIP and 76 strikeouts in 60 innings. One significant change was his increased reliance on his slider, which he threw 38.9% of the time by September, compared to 36.6% four-seam fastballs. This adjustment greatly enhanced the effectiveness of both pitches.

Looking Ahead
​The signing of Kikuchi demonstrates the Angels' commitment to enhancing their roster and competing in the upcoming season. As the offseason progresses, fans can look forward to seeing how these moves translate into performance on the field.