MLB Free Agent Sigining: Yusei Kikuchi Heads West

Arguably the first major free agent signing of the offseason has gone down, as former Toronto Blue Jays lefthander Yusei Kikuchi has decided to sign out West, heading to the Los Angeles Angels. It’s a three-year deal worth $63 million.

Angels, LHP Yusei Kikuchi reportedly agree to 3-year deal, per @MLBNetwork insider @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/ZooMF2EYoX
— MLB (@MLB) November 25, 2024

The Japanese southpaw had a rough start to his three-year run in Toronto, but settled in for a successful last two seasons, and finished 2024 with the Houston Astros.

In his 10 starts in Texas, Kikuchi posted an impressive 2.70 ERA with an 0.93 WHIP and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

Per MLB Network's Steve Phillips, this seems like a "win-now" kind of move for the Angels, as Kikuchi is 33 years old. "They're actually trying to build something and get into the playoffs," Phillips said Monday morning.

He’s the second notable piece the Angels have added to their rotation this offseason, as they also signed Kyle Hendricks, and added a veteran catcher in Travis d’Arnaud as well to back up their excellent young backstop Logan O’Hoppe.

Adding to the Angels' aggressive offseason, they also signed free agent Jorge Soler earlier to beef up the offense.