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Yusei Kikuchi signs a three-year, $63 million deal with the LA Angels

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ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels have signed left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year contract valued at $63 million, a deal finalized on Wednesday. This contract will see Kikuchi earn $21 million each year, increasing his total Major League Baseball earnings to $142 million over his nine-season career.

At 33 years old, Kikuchi was named an All-Star during his tenure with the Seattle Mariners in 2021. In the past season, he played for both Toronto and Houston, finishing with a record of 9-10 and a 4.05 ERA across 32 starts. He was traded to the Astros on July 30 in exchange for 23-year-old right-hander Jake Bloss, rookie outfielder Joey Loperfido, and minor league first baseman Will Wagner.

During his time with Houston, Kikuchi excelled, posting a 5-1 record with a commendable 2.70 ERA in ten starts. Over 60 innings pitched, he struck out 76 batters while walking 14. Notably, his four-seam fastball averaged 95.5 mph this year, marking the fastest that he has thrown in his big league career. Throughout his journey in Major League Baseball, he holds a career record of 41-47 with a 4.57 ERA, having played six seasons combined with Seattle, Toronto, and Houston.

Kikuchi began his MLB career when he signed with the Mariners prior to the 2019 season, agreeing to a three-year, $43 million contract, which also included a substantial $10.275 million posting fee to the Seibu Lions in Japan. He later joined the Toronto Blue Jays in March 2022 on a three-year deal worth $36 million.

The Angels have been notably active during the offseason. Kikuchi is now a part of a rotation expected to feature left-handers Tyler Anderson and Reid Detmers, alongside right-handers José Soriano and Kyle Hendricks, who recently joined from the Chicago Cubs on a one-year, $2.5 million deal.

In a recent trade, right-hander Griffin Canning moved to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for outfielder and designated hitter Jorge Soler. Additionally, the Angels also secured a two-year, $12 million contract with catcher Travis d’Arnaud. The team struggled last season, recording a franchise-worst 63-99 and marking their ninth consecutive losing season. This was particularly notable after the departure of star player Shohei Ohtani, who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team has not made it to the playoffs since 2014.