2024 saw Yusei Kikuchi stepping up to the plate as the star pitcher for the Houston Astros. He notched an impressive five wins and a solid 2.70 ERA over ten regular-season starts. Yet, the time has come for a uniform change as Kikuchi steps onto the freshly renamed Daikin Park in a different attire. As he approaches his 34th birthday in June, Kikuchi has made a splash in the free agent pool, shaking hands on a lucrative three-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels worth $63 million.
Kikuchi is the first free agent to accept a deal north of $50 million this winter, making him a new addition to an Angels team making strides toward a post-Shohei Ohtani-era rebuild. The Angels have more work to do before they can pose a real challenge in the playoffs. With the addition of a few crucial pieces, they could become a thorn in the Astros’ side, who have enjoyed dominance in the AL West.
Solid in 2024 for the Astros
Kikuchi’s time in Houston was solid, but his return in 2025 was always unlikely, considering his rising value as a free agent and Houston’s budget constraints. The Astros are currently focused on retaining their star third baseman, Alex Bregman, prioritizing his outstanding performance on the field and leadership in the clubhouse.
In their bid to keep Bregman on their roster, the Astros are looking at offering the biggest contract in franchise history. This may require the owner, Jim Crane, to shell out more than $200 million, a necessary expense for a team with two championships aiming to maintain their dynasty. What’s the cost? Potentially losing out on Kikuchi and other free agents and leaving their 2025 rotation uncertain.
Kikuchi will make his Angels debut in Houston in April 2025 as part of a three-game series. Kikuchi’s 2024 season started in Toronto, but a mid-season trade to Houston turned his fortune around as he secured a spot in the prime rotation that helped the Astros claim the top spot in the American League West.
Final Thoughts
While he had a struggling start with the Blue Jays, his performance dramatically improved with the Astros, concluding the season with a 5-1 record, a 2.70 ERA, and a 0.933 WHIP, striking out 76 batters and allowing 14 walks in 60 innings. Kikuchi’s exceptional form, coupled with his All-Star performance in 2021 and an impressive 2023 season, made him a hot prospect for teams like the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, and the Blue Jays before he chose the Angels.
The Angels have been busy in the early stages of the offseason, adding veteran starter Kyle Hendricks and catcher Travis d’Arnaud to their team while acquiring outfielder Jorge Soler and infielder Scott Kingery through trades. They made a significant upgrade to their rotation with the acquisition of Kikuchi on Monday.
