The Angeles officially announced the signing of Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year deal on Wednesday afternoon. Kikuchi, a client of the Boras Corporation, is guaranteed $63MM. He’ll make even $21MM salaries over the contract.
Kikuchi, 33, spent nine seasons pitching for NPB’s Seibu Lions before he was posted for major league clubs prior to his age-28 campaign during the 2018-19 offseason. The lefty landed with the Mariners on a complex contract that guaranteed the southpaw $56MM over four years, with the fourth year being a $13MM player option that the Mariners could preempt by picking up a four-year club option worth $66MM.
Complicated as that contract was, however, Kikuchi’s time in Seattle was both disappointing and straightforward. The lefty struggled over his first two seasons in the majors, posting a lackluster 5.39 ERA and 5.17 FIP between the 2019 and ’20 seasons.
He managed to turn things around a bit in 2021, however, with a 4.41 ERA (96 ERA+) and a 4.61 FIP. While those numbers hardly jump off the page, Kikuchi was an All-Star in 2021 and looked dominant at times, with a 2.33 ERA and a 27.5% strikeout rate in an 11-start stretch from late April to early July. Kikuchi took a gamble and entered free agency despite his uneven season. That decision wound up paying off, as he would eventually sign with the Blue Jays on a three-year, $36MM contract. His time in Toronto started off much like his stay in Seattle, as he struggled badly in 2022 to the tune of a 5.19 ERA and 5.62 FIP in 100 2/3 innings of work split between the bullpen and rotation.
The lefty finally figured things out at the age of 32 last season, however, and showed off the consistent, mid-rotation production both the Mariners and Jays had dreamed on when signing him. In 32 starts for Toronto in 2023, Kikuchi pitched to a solid 3.86 ERA with a 25.9% strikeout rate against a 6.9% walk rate. That solid campaign seemed to tee the lefty up for another steady season in 2024, though he once again faced a number of ups and downs. Kikuchi’s time in Toronto this year saw him drastically underperform his underlying metrics, as he pitched to a lackluster 4.75 ERA despite his 26.2% strikeout rate and 6% walk rate both being improvements over the previous season. Despite that ugly ERA, the lefty had a 3.66 FIP, 3.51 SIERA, and 3.43 xFIP during his 22 starts with the Blue Jays this year.
Those exciting peripherals surely helped convince the Astros to package youngsters Jake Bloss, Joey Loperfido, and Will Wagner in a trade with the Jays that brought Kikuchi to Houston for the stretch run. That was a hefty price to pay for a rental, but the lefty made good on his price tag with ten dazzling starts for the Astros following the trade deadline. He racked up 60 innings of 2.70 ERA ball, struck out a whopping 31.8% of opponents while walking just 5.9%, and improved his overall season numbers to a league average 4.05 ERA with a 3.46 FIP that was good for the 16th-best mark among all qualified big leaguers this year, sandwiched comfortably between top free agent starters Max Fried (3.33) and Jack Flaherty (3.48).
Now, the Angels are betting on those excellent peripherals just as their division rivals in Houston did over the summer. Amidst a busy November where they’ve already struck early to land Jorge Soler, Travis d’Arnaud, Kevin Newman, and Kyle Hendricks via trade and free agency, the club has now gone out of its typical comfort zone to sign Kikuchi to the largest guarantee the Angels have given a free agent starter since right-hander C.J. Wilson’s five-year, $77.5MM deal in 2011. Kikuchi is just the second starter the club has signed to a multi-year pact since then, joining future rotation-mate Tyler Anderson. Kikuchi, Anderson, and Hendricks figure to create a veteran nucleus for Anaheim’s starting staff next year that could help to take pressure of younger arms such as Reid Detmers, Chase Silseth, and Jack Kochanowicz.
While Kikuchi’s up-and-down performance may cause his new deal to raise some eyebrows, the pact is right in line with the $60MM over three years that MLBTR predicted for the lefty on our annual Top 50 MLB free agents list. Kikuchi ranked 12th overall and 6th among starters on that list, placing him firmly behind top-of-the-class arms like Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, and Fried but in a similar conversation as fellow southpaw Sean Manaea among the better mid-tier options on the market. Notably, Kikuchi was unencumbered by a Qualifying Offer after being rendered ineligible by the midseason trade that shipped him to Houston. That surely made him more attractive to an Angels club that has relied heavily on the draft in recent years while fast-tracking players such as Nolan Schanuel, Zach Neto, and Ben Joyce to the majors.
Prior to signing with Anaheim this morning, Kikuchi had been connected to the Cubs in free agency as the club seemingly plans to focus on the mid-tier of the starting pitching market this winter with a preference towards hurlers not encumbered by a QO. The Braves and Rangers are among the other teams rumored to be shopping in a similar tier of the market, and any team that missed out on Kikuchi should still have a few options at their disposal this winter. Flaherty, Nathan Eovaldi, Matthew Boyd, and Andrew Heaney are among the pitchers remaining unencumbered by the QO expected to land multi-year deals, and interesting one-year options such as Walker Buehler and Max Scherzer also remain on the table.
Jon Heyman of The New York Post first reported the terms.
Monkey’s Uncle
Yusei good bye, the Angels say hello…
avenger65
Well, you can’t say Moreno isn’t at least trying. Maybe he’s building up the team to try to entice Sasaki. Or maybe, when you have Ohtani, the team leans on him too much to drive in runs, hit .300+, basically carry the team. Now the team has to rely on a lot of players playing at a higher level instead of relying on one guy.
Fever Pitch Guy
avenger – This makes me 2-for-2 picking free agent destinations!
Moreno has spent a ton of money in the past, and he’s got a lot of payroll room now, so why some people here think the Angels won’t continue to sign talent is beyond me.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Angels are also in on Soto.
LordD99
The Heyman mystery team!
ShootyBabbit
I hope not-the 2002 WS champs werent built on a high $$$ player or two. They were built on a lot of good players performing well
prov356
Fever – “Moreno has spent a ton of money in the past, and he’s got a lot of payroll room now, so why some people here think the Angels won’t continue to sign talent is beyond me.”
Spending a lot of money and signing talent are two different things. Moreno has had brief moments of spending money but on the wrong players.
Moreno has failed to allow his GMs to build a pitching staff that can compete in the majors. Instead he has spent his money on long term contracts for declining power hitters like Pujols, Hamilton, Freese, Rendon, et al, that have killed our flexibility. Then he tries piecing together a pitching staff with one or two year contracts for bounce back hopeful pitchers who have never worked out. Our last decade proves this is a losing strategy.
This winter has smelled a little different so I am cautiously optimistic. But our pitching staff is far from complete.
Fever Pitch Guy
Shooty – If they don’t have the farm system and aren’t good at pulling off trades, then spending is their only alternative.
Fever Pitch Guy
prov – I totally agree, but I’d like to point out they did acquire players that were talented and highly productive at the time. Yes they were bad decisions, particularly Hamilton and Rendon, because their mental makeup wasn’t taken into consideration.
That is my concern with Duran and Casas, both have issues that could cause a future implosion.
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
I also predicted yusei to Anaheim Moreno always signs the people like this
Next up Jordan Romano?
Alexpulido7051 2
Spreading the money around and building a deeper roster instead of signing a few stars looks to be the new strategy. Especially building depth in the minor leagues. Maybe they should now be called the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from Atlanta
Tigers3232
In the case of both Pujols and Rendon, they were each good signings when they were free agents. With Rendon there was nothing indicating what was to come.
Pujols was one of the biggest names in MLB at the time, so the Angels likely won big time from a financial aspect over the life of that contract. Even if we had true fincial #s would be hard to quantify each particular players impact on profit. Pujols was one of if not the most recognizable figures in the sport at the time. He provided value in that regard.
Hamilton was a buyer beware. He like Pujols had alot of name recognition at the time of signing . I believe he signed for 4 yrs. I can’t check as I risk comment disappearing to an ad . But if so a 4 yr deal are somewhat tolerable risk/reward wise.
I’d fault them the most on reluctance to sign pitching over the years. That seems like what Moreno’s biggest issue has been. Every team that spends signs a few deals that look bad after the fact.
I don’t know how you Angels fans felt when these deals happened. But as a Tigers fan I remember the moment I heard Prince Fielder was signed. It felt like we’d become unstoppable(thanks Avisail and Mrs Fielder….). Now 2 names that were signed that immediately had opposite effect were Baez and Zimmerman. Both weren’t received well from the start. If I had to guess though I’d have thought with Pujols and Hailton at time of signing must ve seemed awesome news to fans.
Alexpulido7051 2
Pujols best year as an Angel would have been his worst year as a Cardinal. Hamilton literally replaced Upton. I think resigning Upton and using the rest of the money on another player for team depth would have been better served. The Angels are not the Yankees. I would rather see the Angels be a team like Atlanta, St Louis, or Frisco that build from within and sign free agents to fill in
Tigers3232
From a performance standpoint absolutely. Moreno has a background in marketing tho and Pujols was one of the most marketable players in the game at the time. I don’t think Moreno was looking at both potential revenue and onfield performance with Pujols.
Hamilton signing was a all around more questionable.
Alexpulido7051 2
I agree with the marketing perspective, but as a fan, I wish Pujols would have resigned with St Louis and Moreno would have focused more on building a deeper roster. St Louis got the best years of Pujols, and the Angels got the fat slow years. With the Angels it seemed he often hit into double plays and clogged the bases. Unfortunately injuries ultimately did him in. (probably because he was way older than than his listed age).
I have to say that his experience and knowledge probably contributed to helping Mike Trout and did Upton
DarrenDreifortsContract
Trying for 4th place in the AL West lol.
GoogleMe
Another move that I like that the Angels made. There is only one I don’t like.
The Angels have more talent pitching talent in the minors than they have had in a long time. They proved last year that they were not ready. This move should help bridge the gap.
The Angels were among the worst in terms of DH production. Soler will be an upgrade. He time in Houston indicates he isn’t washed up.
The Angels collectively were a major league worst at -41 OAA. Adding Newman makes sense. Bad defense is contagious, but so is good defense. This should have a positve affect on the team.
Adding Travis D’Arnaud is not only an upgrade over Thaiss, but can also help in developing O’Hoppe. O’hoppe will learn a lot more from D’Arnaud than he could from Thaiss.
The move that doesn’t make sense is Hendricks. The Angels have a history of signing washed up pitchers. This seems to fall in line with the likes of Matt Harvey, Cahill, Syndegaard, Teheran, etc. Hendricks is like a #8 starter at best. Not sure why they traded away Griffin Canning to get the old version of him in Hendricks.
kellin
@GoogleMe My initial reaction to the Hendricks signing was the same, but the Halo Bros made a good case as for why he was signed and why he may bounce back…
youtu.be/GYpwLC8K0Ts?si=nemKvLDO7hacLeKk
GoogleMe
@keitlin Some people will try to spin it in a positive way, but I have seen it too many times already. I have little hope for someone that averages 87 mph on his fastball to find success in 2025. If this was 1925, he would be fine, but it is not.
Wagner>Cobb
@GoogleMe
Totally agree on the Henricks signing. It makes little sense, and actually takes a little shine off of the Kikuchi signing. If Kikuchi was their 2nd best starter added, then this move would be brilliant.
Reminds me of the Cardinals last year. Adding Gray and Gibson deserved credit. Both moves were nice and played out pretty well this year. However, in light of the Lance Lynn addition, they came off underwhelming. Had they gone for Lugo/Stroman or even a clear upgrade like Montgomery (with a full offseason) then the initial signing would’ve played better.
GoogleMe
@Wagner You can also look at the Royals that signed Lugo and Wacha. Nobody wanted them and the Royals did pretty well last year.
I agree they do need another one. I don’t expect them to be players in the Snell, Burnes, or Fried sweepstakes since they do not sign pitchers to long term deals. They may be able to get Sugano or Buehler that may be open to shorter term deals.
Pickle_Britches
1925 he’d be an ACE and would be a HOFer
outinleftfield
Arte won’t allow any of his GM’s to sign a starting pitcher to more than 3 years. The last one they signed to 5 years was in 2011.
This signing is more of the same. An aging mediocre starter for 3 years. Its something we Angels fans are used to with Arte as the owner.
GoogleMe
@outinterftfield Not exactly true, Raisel Iglesias signed for 4 years, though he was traded within a year of that deal.
This is tied for the most I have seen by the Angels in terms of AAV at $21M. I think Jered Weavers 5yr / $85M is the largest contract that Arte gave to a pitcher. Most team including small market teams have giving out bigger deals than Arte.
Sealbeach Comber
avenger65: “Well, you can’t say Moreno isn’t at least trying. ”
Moreno isn’t at least trying.
Signing a 35 year old, 12 year veteran pitcher (not named Ryan or Verlander) to an massive overpay for past performance and fan interest in Japan is not trying to win. If you mean trying to make Arte’s wallet fatter through merch and tv money from his long term Japanese fans, then he sure is trying.
socalbball
What 35 year old did the Angels sign? Certainly not Kikuchi.
Sealbeach Comber
My bad. I had previously seen that they were interested in 35 y.o. Tomoyuki Sugano and had him confused with 33 y.o. Yusei Kikuchi. This still seems like a huge overpay based on past performance and marketing.
AngelsFan1972
@sealbeach
It is right in line with what many analysts predicted. Definitely not a huge overpay based on what the Dodgers gave Snell either.
FenwayFanatic
Hello hello!!
roob
Overpay
Bob Sacamano 310
The Angel way
Pete'sView
Kikuchi is such an Angels type pitcher and, as usual, Angel fans are not gonna be happy—with good reason: at best he’s a #5.
InsertWittyName
He got a 5th place vote in Cy Young voting this year so somebody rates him
kingsfan1968
Coo Coo Kikuchi!
horaceallen
Would have been nice to see him join a competitive team.
prov356
horace – I see these comments a lot by non-Angels fans who like to stir stuff up. I’m assuming this is one of those instances.
In your mind, how should a non-competitive team become competitive?
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
By making better decisions than two or three risky signings and overpaying for them. Let’s start there.
prov356
You missed my point, Gary, but thanks.
myaccount2
I don’t think he missed your point. It’s a perfectly reasonable response to your question.
Fever Pitch Guy
Gary – Do you still own Gary’s Old Towne Tavern? ;o)
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
Well then you had two points. I only addressed one of them.
I do understand your first point and I write about it often. Plenty of fans like to stir up Red Sox faithful with interesting comments and I’ll often Write a response. So I’m with you there.
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
I could never afford it. But I frequent it so often they renamed it.
Rays in the Bay
@Gary
Well, they actually got Darnauld at a lower AAV than what the Braves paid him. Solid offensive contributor. Kikuchi isn’t risky either. Not a game changer but certainly not too risky.
myaccount2
Not risky?! He has one of the riskiest profiles you could ask for in a pitcher outside of health concerns. He’s had atrocious seasons because of that profile.
Player to be named in the future 2
I believe Harry the Hat got it in a Ponzi scheme
vtadave
Man I loved the jokes he and Sam used to play on each other.
Fever Pitch Guy
vt – Yeah I almost forgot about Harry! One of the many spinoffs from one of the greatest TV shows of all time.
vtadave
To be fair, Night Court wasn’t a spin-off of Cheers, though the actor was Harry Anderson in both.
Fever Pitch Guy
vt – That’s true, wasn’t the same character. As a judge he did do slight-of-hand stuff though, right? If I remember correctly.
Halo11Fan
Prov, Fans complain when teams spend money, and the same fans complain when they don’t.
The Angels have no farm, no players ready to step up, and far too many players that are an inside straight draw from being useful.
At this point, I just want them to field a major league team. That would be a nice change of pace.
proton
I know of this guy who drafts really well and brings his MILB pitchers along at a good rate. He also has drafted position players really well too. Angel fans might have heard of him. I forget his last name. His first is Jerry his last is something like Desoto or Dipoto not sure. Maybe if you guys could find a guy like that he might do to your team what he has done with Seattle. Trade for a top line pitcher and develop 4 others. You guys should be on the lookout for a guy like that.
DarrenDreifortsContract
By not giving 245 million to Anthony Rendon.
outinleftfield
Did you think Rendon would be as bad as he has been coming off a 7.1 WAR 2019 season and 6.1 WAR average the previous 3 years?
Do you possess a crystal ball with 100% accuracy? If you do you certainly didn’t say anything on this site back when he signed.
You are talking crud in hindsight.
Stop being nothing but a troll.
YourDreamGM
Even I couldn’t see that coming. Signing a 30 year old who isn’t a superstar who doesn’t really love playing baseball to hundreds of millions was a awful idea but I didn’t see him becoming this awful this fast.
just_thinkin
Wow! It’s fun to talk a lot of shade about LAA, but that’s a nice deal. Good signing.
Wagner>Cobb
They should capitalize on the non-tender reliever market. Signing Finnegan and someone from the list of Romano/Chargois/Honeywell/Alzolay would really elevate the group out there.
Canuckleball
Credit to the writers. None of them got his destination, but they set him at 3 years/ $60 million. Pretty much nailed the valuation.
Ranger Danger19
I’d like to know how these valuations are determined. Is there a website out there with an explanation?
JRamHOF
They use an algorithm that uses data from free agent players, their service time, stats, and the deals that they signed to estimate the years and dollars, I believe
pohle
each of them weigh in with their opinion. they discussed it a little bit in chats following the list’s publication
yankee766766
The valuation is clear. Kickuchi’s valuation was based on his average wins per year and they all agreed that it’s worth $2.6 million per win.!
Because that’s all he wins per year….8 wins !!
Tim Dierkes
We discuss all the free agents in-depth for about a month and cite comparables in trying to back up our predictions. It’s pretty hard though!
Os1995
They project WAR and then multiply by a constant $/WAR (usually 8-9 million per WAR). Projection systems take into account age, previous performance, underlying stats, etc.
Lindor's Bodyguard
Patrick Sandoval. Goodbye.
Yusei Kikuchi. Hello.
Who will be the better SP in 2026 and beyond?
Big whiffa
This is a great illustration! I think about this with Red Sox moving devers from 3rd. I don’t pay attention to defense at all as I’m more of a stat nerd instead of watching the games but if they trade cases and the acquire Bergman or arenado, how can you justify the cost of one of those two players vs improved defense at 3rd. And cases most likely our performs both those guys with a bat over next 5 seasons
Joemo
“I’m more of a star nerd instead of watching the games”
And this is the biggest issue with the game today. Devers defense is much better today than it was years ago. He made some spectacular plays that he wouldn’t have made in previous years.
So instead of building him up at third, people want him to learn a brand new position? That’s a recipe for success.
While Arenado and Bregman play better defense at 3B, Devers has a significantly better bat. Moving Devers off of third this year would require many other pieces to fall in place. Why not just spend the money on a top tier SP?
Breslow has publically shot down trade rumors for Casas as he has “40 home-run potential”
avenger65
Joemo: Devers, Arenado and Bregman aside, I hope the Sox resign J.D.
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
You mean J.S. J.D. is DONE.
myaccount2
“He made some spectacular plays that he wouldn’t have made in previous years.”
Half the reason those plays are spectacular is because he has zero range. He makes medium difficulty plays look exceptionally hard–ones that Bregman would make with ease. This is backed up by the eye test AND the data, which is exactly why data is important… because sometimes our eyes don’t understand the full picture immediately when we see what appears to be an amazing play.
Ketch
Devers ranks near or at the bottom of every defensive metric, none of which are trending up. His 8th percentile in range seems like it will keep it that way.
Joemo
That’s fantastic. Do these metrics take into consideration that he played through the shoulder injuries all year? They don’t? Oh so that’s why you need to use your eyes and understand the context for the statistics.
Stats are great, I love them. But you need to think about what the stats are actually showing and any context for the stats before forming an opinion.
For example: let’s say someone says oh wow Mookie Betts hit 3 hr the other night. You initially think that’s amazing wow! But it was actually in some charity softball game. So while impressive, it’s much less impressive.
I’m not saying Devers is some gold glove caliber defender, but he showed significant improvement this year.
avenger65
Gary: No, I meant J.D.
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
JD who?
outinleftfield
My eyes tell me Devers has the range of a sloth to his left. Not even a full step and that has nothing to do with his shoulder. The data backs up what my eyes tell me.
His horrendously bad throws have to do with his throwing shoulder, but not his range.
The data shows that before he injured his shoulder he was one of the worst defensive 3B. After he injured his shoulder he was equally as bad.
stymeedone
Devers defense being improved, still leaves it greatly lacking. That routine plays others make, become spectacular plays for him, ignores all the plays he never makes that another would. Range is not as important at 1B. As to learning “a brand new position”, it’s 3B without the throw. Its still grounders, pop ups and line drives. He will also have to catch throws. It’s incredibly easy. Tell him Wash!
outinleftfield
Devers made 100 less attempts on balls in play than the top 3B. Balls others got to, he waived at as they went by. That is not an error. It doesn’t affect his fielding percentage. But it is direct evidence of his lack of range and ability to play defense effectively.
Rexhudler86
Makes sense why they were talking to sugano, definitely would’ve preferred the unknown on a shorter deal, because the angels would always light up kikucki.
prov356
Perhaps this was a precursor to Sugano.
Rexhudler86
@prov356. Probably didn’t want to wait, and lose out. Seems like sugano is shopping around. Hacksaw said the deal was out ready to sign.
SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs
More money than I thought he’d get
Big whiffa
Says after every angel signing lol
YaGottaBelieveAgain
I think HOU was hoping to bring him back so now they will try to bring in someone else. More like the tier 2 or 3 types in terms of total $ and length of contract.
His results have been better over the last 3 years or so. Sometimes it takes some time for foreign players adjust to the MLB. Better preparation maybe.
Astros_fan_in_Aus
Houston fixed him. Now Brown misses his opportunity to keep him.
Yankee Clipper
More money than I thought as well. He’s a career 91 ERA + guy in his mid-thirties.
Fever Pitch Guy
Clip – As Janet Jackson would say, it’s all about “What have you done for me lately”..
Heck he even finished 9th in Cy voting this year!
redsoxu571
Yup. This finishes the explanation for why Boston made a QO for Pivetta – and why Pivetta declined it!
dray16
#FreeDetmers
Rexhudler86
@detmers isn’t going anywhere. He still has plenty of options left to figure it out. Sandoval and canning didn’t.
Digdugler
He cant go beyond the 5th but he has the stuff!
Canuckleball
He can go beyond the fifth, and quite often does. It was the Jays coaching staff that would pull him after five with plenty of gas and performance left in the tank because their calculators said so.
He pitched 10 games for Houston in the regular season. In all ten he pitched into the 6th and in half of them, he completed 6+.
stymeedone
You make that sound like an accomplishment. So sad.
outinleftfield
You think it’s not an accomplishment. That says so much.
League average was 5.1 IP per start. Kikuchi averaged 6.0 IP/S with the Astros. 2/3 of an inning better than average. If he can eat 6 innings with a 4.50 ERA as the #3-4 starter the Angels are better than they were last season.
Arte will not allow Minasian or any other GM to sign starting pitchers to deals longer than 3 years so what we are left with is guys like Kikuchi that are incremental improvements over the guys before them.
Astros_fan_in_Aus
In those games he struck out 31.8% and walked 5.9% with a 2.70 ERA. I would say he accomplished something there.
JoeBrady
Kikuchi averaged 5.26 with TO and 5.14 for his career. As I mentioned elsewhere, basing their assessment of Kikuchi on 2 months with Houston is very similar to what they did last year with Stephenson.
johnnyangel
@JoeBrady Stephenson is a poor comparison. The guy didn’t underperform with the Angels. HE GOT HURT.
FemboySportsFan!
@dig
You really don’t know ball do you?
JoeBrady
Digduglar is correct. In his entire career, he has exactly 100 IPs from the 6th inning on.
FemboySportsFan!
@Joe
Nope he’s incorrect, he said he CANT go over 6 innings, which you just proved he can. :3
JoeBrady
When I hear things like that, I generally interpret that as “probably”. Kind of like saying “Casas is not a basestealer” notwithstanding the fact that he stole a base in 2022.
stu18germanator
That’s a lot of money for a guy with a 4.57 career ERA. Yes, he’s consistently healthy and gives you 32 starts a year but let’s be real – he’s a #3 starter on an average team and a #4 on a good team. Is that worth $20+ million a year? Taijuan Walker and Patrick Corbin would say yes but I think most would say no.
solaris602
I hope I’m wrong, but my instincts tell me Kikuchi is just gonna be the Angels’ latest exploding cigar.
FemboySportsFan!
@stu
To be fair, what mid level starters 3-4 guys, are on the free agent market that you would pay that to?
also Patrick Corbin is only a starter still because the nationals are paying him so much.
mostlytoasty
If he’s anything close to the pitcher he was in Houston, it’ll likely be a great deal for LAA. They did make changes to his arsenal so I do think he’s an improved pitcher, but my guess is he’s a 3.50-3.75 ERA arm at best. Nobody would be shocked if he regresses fully either.
Zonedeads
We’ve seen plenty of pitchers look good due to a small sample size of 10 games. Do you trust 99% of his career when he was garbage or 10 games when he was good?
mostlytoasty
I think if he had made no changes in Houston and just happened to stumble into a sparkling ERA and WHIP, then yes, I’d just chalk that up to a lucky stretch that benefitted from a change of scenery.
He was making some incremental changes even before the TOR-HOU trade though, and he had a 3.66 FIP in Toronto, which was a pretty big difference than the 4.75 ERA.
Aside from his debut year in Toronto, his ERA has crept down every year, and his K-BB% has improved as well. Add all of that together and yeah, I think there’s a good case to make that Kikuchi will pitch closer to a 3.50 ERA than his (MLB) career 4.57 ERA.
xFIP this year was 3.20 and SIERA (statistically, the most accurate predictor of future performance) was 3.30. The track record is worrisome, but let’s not forget he was a great pitcher in Japan and everything continues to point towards slow (but steady) improvements.
All that being said, it’s the Angels, and we’ve seen great players turn into duds as soon as they arrive, so there’s plenty of reasons to be cautious.
Ma4170
Teams like the Angels need to overpay a bit for FA
FemboySportsFan!
@ma4170
Honestly, the deal isn’t far off, I would say myself he’s worth around 40-50, as you said the angels to like to overpay.
YourDreamGM
Era doesn’t tell you much. Career era even less. He’s a number 3 on any team. If he is 4th best on a team that just means they have a really good rotation.
LordD99
Wow. Big spend for the Angels on pitching, and confirms starting pitchers will be expensive this offseason.
Rexhudler86
@LordD. He got overpayed, because he didn’t have a pick attached. The ones with picks attached will be signing a day before the season starts. Besides fried, and burnes
Senioreditor
Disagree, every pitcher is going to be expensive and overpriced this offseason.
Rexhudler86
@senior. How many teams are ready to increase payroll?. The teams that are will get burnes, snell, and fried.
windmill_noise_causes_cancer
overpaid*
Fever Pitch Guy
Rex – Are you not aware the guys who declined QO’s were fielding offers for a week prior to declining the QO?
They already know what their floor is, they know it’s a lot higher than the QO. If they are signing a day before the season starts it will be because of greed, not because they didn’t receive better offers than the QO.
Rexhudler86
@fever. I wouldn’t say fielding offers otherwise they would’ve sign. The agents are going off comparable contracts and numbers, and believe they could get more. How did that work out for snell and Montgomery last year. Anyways I’m talking about the guys that are slotted behind kikuchi with picks attached being affected. Also it’s to the people saying it’s a huge overpay. His projection was 60 million he got 63. That’s a extra million a year. Lol
Fever Pitch Guy
Rex – If they didn’t see better offers coming in, they would have taken the QO like Nick Martinez did. Snell and others were the victims of bad strategy by Boras, nothing more. They would have gotten much more than the QO if Boras wasn’t so greedy in overestimating the market.
Rexhudler86
@fever. Once again if they see better offers coming in. They would’ve been signed already. I was commenting on someone saying the market is going to be expensive. kikuchi represents the line for 21+. The guys valued below him will be freezed out because of the pick attached. Plus who’s going to big spenders this year. Mets, Yankees, redsox. Seems like everyone else is slashing payroll.
Fever Pitch Guy
Rex – Disagree, not one player offered a QO took a deal from another team. Those offers they receive before officially declining the QO establish a floor, not a final offer. Negotiating takes time, but it does usually end with increased offers. The key is to not take too long, otherwise some offers could be pulled.
As always, time will tell. But I would almost guarantee none of the guys who rejected a QO will end up getting freezed out (which I assume you mean worse contract than the QO).
Rexhudler86
@fever. Once again your forgetting the comp pick. Teams don’t want to give up one for mid tier guys if the price isn’t lowered. Those picks are the meat and potatoes of the draft. Either way going back to the comment saying it’s going to drive prices up, is incorrect.
It’s possible they can resign with the former teams and match 21, just saying it’s not going to be bidding war like kikuchi could’ve been. Therefore not affecting the pitching market
Fever Pitch Guy
Rex – Let’s way and see then, time will tell.
It’s hard to believe all of the guys who declined QO’s, and their agents, all misread the market.
There’s a reason why in the history of MLB literally 90% of all players offered the QO ended up declining. Many of those players were mid-tier.
Alexpulido7051 2
The Angels 2nd round pick next year will literally be like a late 1st round pick
YourDreamGM
Pitching is usually or always expensive. Most likely will be this year. But this trade doesn’t tell anything. What was the 2nd and 3rs best offer? And LAA would need to pay significantly more than other teams.
Old York
Nice! I’m 1 for 1 on the FA contest.
Fever Pitch Guy
York – Ummm… two of the top free agents signed.
If you didn’t get Nick Martinez right, you are actually 1 for 2 ;o)
Old York
@Fever Pitch Guy
Oh, I completely forgot that he took the QO. I did predict he would go to the Reds so now I’m 2 for 2. Looks like I’ll be going 50-50! Thank you for reminding me!
Fever Pitch Guy
York – Congrats and good luck!
Ranger Danger19
That’s how baseball go
TigersFan 12
And this is why the Angels continue to underacheive year after year. To give 3 year 60 mill plus to soft tossing 33 year old pitcher is mind boggling. I hope other teams dont act this ignorant and drive the prices up for middle of road soft tossers like this clown …
just_thinkin
Clown? What did Yusei Kikuchi ever do to you man?
mrperkins
You’d think they could have gotten the same production out of Kyle Gibson for 2/26 or thereabouts.
RunDMC
It’s crazy that Kikuchi has had only 1 above-average season (per OPS+) with a 111 in 2023 in 32 GS for TOR.
cybertron
His average fastball is 95.5.
FemboySportsFan!
@Tigers
You’re sad lmao.
theUpdate23
Nothing soft tossing about Kikuchi. Averages about 96 mph on fastball and tops out at 99.
Johnny Bravo
TigersFan 12
A soft tosser,Man, you’re way off Kikuchi was showing 96 miles an hour fastball. What do you consider a firm fastball at what speed 120 miles per hour what’s wrong with these tiger fans drinking the Kool-Aid
Ma4170
Soft tosser?? He’s inconsistent, but nowhere near a soft tosser
Rexhudler86
@Ma4170 maybe he meant salad tosser.
YourDreamGM
If anything this signing would drive prices down. LA got a solid price.
just_thinkin
Burnes is going to cost a lot of money.
johnnyangel
Yes, Burnes is going to be a wealthy young man.
Fun fact – Kikuchi’s FIP last year was better than Burnes!
geotheo
If Jon Heyman is reporting this it must be true. Two years ago he was the first to report that Aaron Judge was signing with the SF Giants.
Old York
@geotheo
He did sign with the SF Giants. But the Yankees traded for the rights to sign him.
King Floch
*Arson Judge
YourDreamGM
Sounds made up
Kewldude69
Arte wants to Parte!
spirit of truth
Every free agent pitcher is celebrating this guy getting that much. The precedent has been set.
Old York
@spirit of truth
Pretty crazy how guys used to be expected to finish a game as a starter and go 8 or 9 innings but were paid peanuts. Today, guys go 4 or 5 innings and they’re paid like kings.
FemboySportsFan!
@york
Starters also don’t need to go that many innings.
Also…lol..inflation factors into it, that’s the reason pitchers back then weren’t paid that much, money was worth more back then…
Back to starters not needing to go that many innings…they don’t need to anymore because of how elite bullpens are now, not to mention they aren’t trained to go 8-9 innings every start like they used to because they know their bullpen can easily get through a lineup.
Old York
@FemboySportsFan
Nolan Ryan maxed out in 2024 dollars around $7M. Kikuchi isn’t even on the same planet as Ryan and he just made more in 3 seasons with this contract than Ryan made in his career.
Yes, it’s an embarrassment to the sport that their starters aren’t manly enough to make it through 9 innings each outing but making ridiculous amounts of money. What a joke!
FemboySportsFan!
@york
Like I said, he only made 7 mil because money was worth more back then.
Ryan if he pitched today, would have a gerritt Cole like contract.
If you care this much about pitchers not going 9 innings, then your standards are WAY too high, and you act like its the pitchers faults they don’t get 9 innings anymore, the manager is the one who takes them out almost 90% of the time.
Why is it an embarrassment? these dudes are out here pitching major league games, You’re stuck in the past.
You dog on these guys, but I bet you would love to make as much as kikuchi does pitching only 5-6 innings.
Old York
@FemboySportsFan!
No, that’s $7M in 2024 dollars.
And no, I’m not jealous of him. I’m just saying the value for money isn’t there when guys go 4 or 5 innings and now you have to wait another 5 days till he can pitch again. At least the older generation, you could get a full 9 innings out of them but they were paid less than these jokers.
FemboySportsFan!
@old
why do you insist on insulting them so much?
Not to mention you have 3-4 other pitchers you could start, and then you get back to him. kikuchi averages about 5.25 innings per start, which is actually not bad, that’s about what you expect for a starter of his level.
not to mention comparing him to Nolan Ryan in the first place is just completely stupid, they are completely different pitchers who pitched in a completely different time.
oh also, if were gonna compare the two, yusei kikuchi and Nolan Ryan have the same amount of CY young awards.
Angels2WS
This is a bit harsh to say pitchers aren’t “manly” enough to pitch nine innings; I don’t see pitchers asking to get yanked. It’s pitch count (not innings), pitcher arm health, and metrics. Teams have high octane arms ready to throw so if odds are better for the team in late innings, changes are made. Besides, would having pitchers who push themselves to their physical breaking point really be more “manly” ; women are the tougher gender from my experience….
avenger65
Femboy, York: I don’t know how to do this, but it would be interesting to see what $7M is in today’s money. For instance, at one time, Titanic was the highest grossing movie of all time. But, what would The Wizard Of Oz be worth in today’s dollars? In that criteria, TWOO and maybe even Gone With The Wind might have made more $ than Titanic.
Joe It All
I think you may have misunderstood York. Nolan Ryan didn’t make $7 million in his last deal. What he made then would be the equivalent of $7 million a year now.
Rexhudler86
@spirit. That was around his projection. That also around want Anderson got a couple years ago. Teams will overpay a little for the mid tier guys to not give up a pick. With that being said I would’ve preferred beiber or sugano
YourDreamGM
If that’s true Boras guys will be waiting until 2026 because this solid price for LAA.
King Floch
Angels ruining everything for everyone as usual.
Waymann
Not an Angels fan so I don’t follow too closely but I think this and D’arnaud are both really solid signings. The Angels got plenty of position player talent and a few decent starters so they aren’t too far off from being competetive.
I like them making these “middle tier/well respected dude” type of signings…especially in the early stretch of free agency. They’ve been bitten so much playing in the deep end of free agency that I could see them make a play for another modest starter or two and only stretch for the lower cost positions like relievers.
Bnickles127
Grats Angels all in
Mlbfan78
Severino and the others just told their agents “see that’s what l want”. & They should get something similar to that, starting pitching is always expensive and the Angels may have to overpay someone to join them, but I do give them credit for being active, not saying they winning their division next season but they improved their team and are trying so I’ll give them that.
avenger65
Mlbfan: It’ll be interesting in the ALW next season. Houston might not have Bregman and they’re an aging team. Seattle has the pitching but not enough hitting. The A’s might be better playing 81 games in a minor league park.
ohyeadam
Texas still has a potent team too
avenger65
ohyeadam: Absolutely right. Sorry I left them out.
rct
It’s crazy because there are a few posters here who said Sevy wasn’t worth the QO of 1/$21 million. Well, here’s a worse pitcher (albeit a more durable one, so it evens out a bit) getting $21 million over *three years*. Turns out the QO for Sevy might be a solid move for the Mets.
stymeedone
Like Boston, they were interested in Corbin Burnes.
Bnickles127
This signing is really good for Mariners if they decide to trade a SP
BigRedMachine
I think you are right but the signing makes me want my team to keep our five starters even
More now. Just hard to find healthy and consistent starters. Makes me ill that four of our five our on low salaries and we cannot go out and spend the money to get a difference making hitter. Though I was told by our General manger that AJ Pollock, Kolten Wong, Jorge Polanco, Mitch Garver, Mitch Haniger, and Luis Urias would get the job done, my bad.
JoeBrady
When TO signed him for $36M/3, I could figure out the interest in a pitcher with a career ERA+ of 85. Now it is three years later, and I don’t understand why a team would sign a guy for $60M/3 with an ERA+ of 91.
He’s not without talent, but in 6 years, he has a consistent 4.57 ERA, and is 33 years old.
Or, put another way, if they signed 5 Kikuchi’s and they all pitched to their career ERA, they’d have spent $100M and have the 25th best ERA in baseball.
Brew88
Joe Brady for reasons you summarize, I don’t quite get it either. Some kind of inflation for an old guy.
Low IQ Angels Management
Minasian and Arte got fleeced again. No decent pitcher will sign with them so they have to grossly overpay for an over the hill #5 starter.
JoeBrady
Or conversely, not pay for one at all. They had the #27 record in BB. Played .333 in the 2nd half. One could argue that:
1-They won’t be competitive for at least one year, and maybe not in 2026 either, so why clog up the 2027 payroll for a mediocre, at best, old guy.
2-If you had $60M to spend, maybe think about extending Neto with a Bobby Witt-lite offer. Maybe Schanuel can play, maybe not. But they have almost no one worth locking in at this point.
Low IQ Angels Management
Ummm, Neto isn’t even close to the talent Bobby Witt is and he has a chronic injury history. If they want him long term fine, but he’s not comparable to Bobby Witt. Give him 8 yrs and 100 mil, ok.
JoeBrady
1st full season:
Player A: 20 HRs, 30/7 SB .254/.294/.428/.722 with a 102 OPS+
Player B 23 HRs, 30/10 SB .249/.318/.443/.761 with a 112 OPS+
So the early stats are about identical. The injury thing I cannot comment on.
YourDreamGM
Maybe the Angels got smart and don’t even look at era era+
JoeBrady
Maybe the Angels got smart and don’t even look at era era+
===============================
Then what would they look at?
YourDreamGM
Video spin rates game performance k rate walk rate hard hit data type of hit data park factors
JoeBrady
And FWIW, this is identical to the Stephenson signing. They see an older dude, with kind of weak career numbers, but has a great two-month stretch before free agency, and use the two-month stretch as the basis for the new contract.
prov356
That is soooo Angels.
orange2001
Tyler Anderson, Zack Cozart, Gary Matthews Jr, et al.
YourDreamGM
Nothing weak about his career numbers
JoeBrady
Except for his W/L record and his ERA?
YourDreamGM
Those are irrelevant numbers. Like last year he only had 9 wins but pitched well enough to win 20 some games. Obviously some games your bats don’t produce or pen doesn’t get it done but that’s not the starting pitchers fault. And vice versa it would be irrelevant if he had a winning record.
Era same thing. One awful game at Cincinnati Coors wind blowing out at Wrigley bullpen being toast so your starter has to get shelled just to eat innings. Couple games like that. Maybe wakes uo with stiff neck or didn’t get a good sleep. And vice versa you might get crushed but every ball hit right at someone. So instead of using era a smart team figures out expected era. What is this pitcher going to give me the majority if the time. Break it down to percentage of quality starts. And their standard if quality start is less than the quality start tv announcers say 6 innings 4 runs.
GoogleMe
Joe Brady said ” use the two month stretch as the basis for the new contract?
This is such a clueless point. If they based the contract on his 2 month stint, Kikuchi would have received the same contact as Snell. The market dictates the value. This is what a starter will go for barring being bad or injured. Case in point, the Red Sox signed Giolito at $19.25M per year. Giolito has been bad.
His WHIP is trending up, SO rate trending down. His velocity is down. I would much rather have Kikuchi, since his numbers are trending in the opposite direction and he hasn’t lost any velo.
A qualifying offer is $21M. Use that as a reference point. There are a lot of players worse than Kikuchi that are receiving qualifying offers.
As for why Kikuchi was better with Houston, he used his best pitch, the slider, more. No one expects him to put up the same numbers for a full season as he did with the Astros.. Does Kikucni make the Angels playoff contenders? No. He does make them better though since he is effectively replacing Canning.
Zonedeads
Angels doing what they normally do, terrible deal for an avg at best pitcher
Old York
@Zonedeads
League SIERA was 3.99 and he posted a 3.30. His FIP and xERA were lower than his actual ERA, which suggests he was pitching better than his ERA showed. Seems like he’s an above average pitcher they just signed for $20M per year.
Rexhudler86
@old york. It was enough for the Astros to give the blue Jay’s a decent return for him. Still think angels should’ve traded ward forsinger, and sign a centerfielder or get bellinger. Either way it’s not a bad move. Just seems like the easier one instead of working out trades.
Old York
@Rexhudler86
FAs only cost money. Pretty easy to sign them instead of trying to trade for other guys.
avenger65
Rex: The cubs signed bellinger to a contract that makes him tough to trade.
Rexhudler86
@avenger65. I understand that. Just saying ward for singer was on the table supposedly. It’s around 53 million for bellinger instead of 63 million for kikuchi. Angels get a pitcher, and centerfielder. It’s off the board now, but that would had been worth pursuing. In hindsight.
Zonedeads
Nothing about him is above avg. you can bring up any bs stat you want but his actual stats he posted for his career says he’s trash
Old York
@Zonedeads
Okay, I guess the same BS stats I’m using are also being widly used by MLB teams to evaluate players.
Zonedeads
Used by terrible franchises like the angels, probably shouldn’t pat yourself on the back too much
Low IQ Angels Management
Great on obscure stats now go watch him pitch and you’ll see that he is terrible.
Low IQ Angels Management
Hey “hud” What’s it like being a bootlicker for the worst franchise in the league? Rewarding, nope, embarrassing, yup. Seems right for a person who liked a terrible bench player like Rex to have garbage opinions…
Rexhudler86
@low. My mom has passed away so she can’t clean his turd stains unfortunately. Angels are the only team that has made moves so far. So it hasn’t been that bad.
Rexhudler86
@low thanks for editing that comment. the only reason why I brought up my mom is because you went there like a typical grade school kid with your momma jokes.
Low IQ Angels Management
Yo mamma! RIP rexhudlers mom.
Rexhudler86
@low. Thank you
stymeedone
That his fantasy stats were better than his actual stats isn’t surprising. I keep waiting for the new metric that actually produces a result similar to the actual performance that occurred. I put more faith in seeing a pitcher lower his walk rate, than any predictive formula.
getrealgone2
Arte “Throw Money at a Problem” Moreno.
kargus
Ummm.. He’s never been like that.. that has been the issue. Kuchi is the highest free agent starter signing for the Angels since CJ Wilson.
Captain K-Midd
Kikuchi is now officially washed. Once the Angels give you a large contract, your career will take a nosedive.
Angels2WS
I am trying to come up with a counter and the only good Angel performer on a big deal I can think of is Vladdy.
orange2001
Torii Hunter?
Angels2WS
Good one!
MLBtheSho(hei)
CJ Wilson had 51 wins and a sub 4.00ERA in 4 years as well. Struggled occasionally, and I think he missed the final year of his contract, but was a pretty solid investment. I’d also give some kudos to the front office on some of the trades last trade deadline. Getting 6 prospects for Estevez and Garcia was actually pretty impressive, even if they only hit on a max of 2.
Low IQ Angels Management
I would take CJ Wilson now over Kukuchi and bet he’d put up better stats. Literally CJ today at what, 45? Would be a better signing than this unpolished turd.
JoeBrady
Grich,
Alexpulido7051 2
Bartolo Colon
Salzilla
Well THAT’S a surprise, and a minus one (of many, I’m sure) for me. This was my NYY SP pick. Figured always good to sign another Japanese player if you want to land another (comfortlevel increases), hint hint.
Good on the Angels, though, making a flurry of interesting moves. I like Yusei a lot, and in the right environment he can shine, like he did with the Stros.
unglar
I’m kinda shocked. I thought Houston would try hard to keep him, I had him sticking around on a 3/45-50 type deal or even 2/35, given how much they wanted him and how well he did but I guess the writers on the site know their business, kudos to them on the years/salary. Makes me wish I made enough money to give them some. Maybe someday…
YaGottaBelieveAgain
I think HOU is trying to stay under a certain team salary threshold and figure early in the offseason there are still good choices at a lower price
Both in terms of AAV and total years. For example say signing a starter to a 1 year with an option or 2 year guaranteed contract deal
They didn’t value Kikuchi as much but it was probably close. HOU may regret if both sides had a sincere interest in staying in HOU.
Good team, chance for playoffs etc.
Teamspirit
They’re saving their money for Bregman.
cwsOverhaul
Good-Getz better pay attention and hang up on anyone not offering an elite position player headliner for 2yrs of Crochet at a crazy low price (about 3mil this year & another arb ’26). He is also conservatively salivating to extend couple years in his prime at what would be 4th/5th starter AAV pay in open market.
YaGottaBelieveAgain
There is a certain value in having more years of a track record for a particular player (both good years and bad) like Kikuchi to determine what you are willing to pay. Also early in the season before the market for SPs is set a GM may decide to be a little agressive in your offer so you can move on to other players. After everyone has signed at at the end of 2025 Kikuchi may be looked as a savvy signing. It is short term and lefties usually has an extra value and if it goes wrong possibly they can use him in relief
Crochet has good stuff but can he repeat his 2024 and If you want to extend his IP by say 50 innings will his results not suffer. Will he have like a tired arm in the most important innings in the playoffs if his team makes it. You are talking about a projection of his next 4 years or so.
The Palesox should still be able to get a “Cease like” return in terms of players otherwise I would just keep him. If he doesn’t get hurt and his results don’t deterioate his trade value goes up.
avenger65
YaGotta…: For some reason Crochet said he would be willing to stay with the Sox on a new contract. I hope his agent and psychiatrist talk him out of it.
avenger65
Overhaul: I have every confidence that teams will offer rookie league and A ball players, and Getz will gladly accept. He’s uneducated on all things baseball and the other GMs know they can fleece him. Crochet and, eventually Robert, will be traded for garbage. Mark my words.
Roidville Slugger
The highlight of this article was reminding me of CJ Wilson. I had forgotten about him…
Rexhudler86
@roidslugger. Cj Wilson’s contract isnt even bad nor was it ever. He had three solid years with the angels got hurt, and never returned.
Roidville Slugger
Yeah. I meant in general it reminded me of how solid he was. I had just forgotten about him for some reason…
Rexhudler86
@roidville. You must’ve looked up his stats. Weird how you just randomly thought of cj wilson.
Roidville Slugger
I didn’t. I read the article, which references him…
Rexhudler86
@roid. I didn’t. Sorry people liked to bag on cj Wilson’s contract, and it’s not even close to being the worse.
Roidville Slugger
Nope. No bagging…
warnbeeb
Along with Colorado, the Los Angeles Angels is where good pitchers go to die.
Old York
@warnbeeb
If I’m 33, going onto 34 and just signed a contract that guarantees me $20M over those 3 years, taking me to 37 years of age, why not? If I get injured, I’m still paid. It will also take him up to 5 years of service time in the bigs. He’s a lefty so if he still has something in the tank after the 3 years, maybe he switches to the bullpen and earns the remaining 2 years left for the full MLB pension.
Mlbfan78
He already has 6 seasons of service time already.
After this contract is up he needs 1 more year to get the full pension after 10 years of service.
Unless he gets hurt or decides to go back to Japan, I think he gets it done.
Old York
BR ways he had 5.00 years of service. Where do you see 6?
MLBtheSho(hei)
BRs service time is calculated in January each year. I made the same mistake when I was wondering why Higashioka was a FA lol. BR said he had just over 5 years, I was super confused lol
warnbeeb
Oh man, I’m not blaming Kikuchi at all. He should absolutely take the money and run. However, the Halos just love wasting money. Way overpay and they will continue to not contend.
Yankeesforever
every good player the Angels sign just means another good player our actual competitors can’t throw against us.
Low IQ Angels Management
Still waiting for them to sign a “good player” though. 63 mil for a #5 starter is Perry and Arte getting double fisted again.
James Midway
A starter to 3 years. Wow Arte
Acoss1331
Arte doesn’t normally green light free agent pitchers, Perry must have done some convincing to get this one through.
HalofaninHtown
This money would have been better spent on Shane Bieber. At least his upside is way higher.
just_thinkin
Nathan Eovaldi… you are now on the clock.
Old York
Angels winning the offseason!
Rsox
Oh poor Yusei, he’s about to become Yuseless again…
Angels2WS
I’m happy to see the Angels making moves that makes them better. While predicting the postseason would be overly optimistic at this time, I am confident to at least be watching meaningful Angel games past the All-Star break.
Blackpink in the area
The Angels could be the most improved team in baseball and still miss the playoffs by 10 games
cooperhill
Kajunki is not worth that much. Career ERA is like 4.57!
YaGottaBelieveAgain
They have scouts and an analytical team that apparently disagrees.
There is also a judgement on where the salary market for SPs is and where it might go for the rest of the 2024/2025 offseason. On a 3 year deal there is less risk it blows up in their face. Many people on this website like to make fun of LAA but being an observer I would be cautiously optimistic.
There is a lot more offseason to go and LAA is in a tough division.
Some teams like PIT get criticized for not making enough of an investment in their team and maybe putting excess $ in their pocket so to speak.
IF LAA can turn 15 losses into 15 wins they are a borderline Wild Card Team
JoeBrady
1-Another 15 wins is still below .500.
2-Kikuchi’s career bWAR is only 4.0 in 6 years. I don’t think he is adding 15 additional wins any time soon.
More realistically, let’s say that Kikuchi is replacing Canning, The difference in runs allowed last year was 20 runs, which is an improvement of only 2 games.
stymeedone
Please take a moment and compare the Angels market size with Pittsburgh’s before talking about putting excess $ in a pocket.
Astros_fan_in_Aus
@Cooperhill – You need to look at what Houston did to turn his career around. Then you might not make such silly comments.
YourDreamGM
Only era they care about is 2025 26 27 and they don’t really care about it.
urnuts
Angels the last few years tend to act early. These deals have not worked out but help Arte and his marketing department sell tickets.
Rexhudler86
@urnuts. That’s probably exactly why. Feel like you can get deals if you wait again this year. The only thing I can think of is they think he’s the best pitcher and best price without giving up a pick. He’s pretty much like Anderson’s deal, and you just hope he pitches good 2/3 years out of the deal
Low IQ Angels Management
Arte’s collection of #5 and AAAA starters continues. There’s your opening day starter for the 2025 Angels and their 65-97 record. Pathetic.
YourDreamGM
This guys #3
Low IQ Angels Management
#3 on the Yankees maybe. But there aren’t 2 better starters on the Angels. He’s your staff ace.
CarolinaCubsandKush
Now that Ohtani is gone, the Angels start spending some money on pitching? They seemingly have a strange sense of urgency to start this offseason that’s been missing the last decade.
Teamspirit
They owe it to Mike.
cbraves
Hope this doesn’t set the tone for the SP market. This seems quite expensive for a pitcher of this caliber. At this rate, Fried and Burnes could see close to $200MM.
Rexhudler86
@avenger65. I got that. just saying singer for ward, and acquiring belly would’ve been a option. Both younger and it would’ve been 53 million instead 63 million. It’s rough numbers because ward and singer are going to arb.
Oldhalo
Well, I’m glad that we got some pitching but I really don’t like this signing. I hope I’m wrong here but he’s too inconsistent and too old to commit to a 3 year deal at 20 mil/year. I would think that there were better options? Durability is likely going to be an issue which means shorter outings and more stress on the bullpen. Someone said it above and I have to agree, this is an Arte type move. The guy is out of his prime, plays well in contract years, gets paid, then…. well, we shall see.
YourDreamGM
How old was Verlander and what he get? This is a solid deal. If you go younger you will pay 2x 3x more.
Camikey
Good signing for them. Their moves so far indicate that the Angels believe they can contend in 2025, and based on the quality of their division they may be right. It’s very possible nobody in the AL West wins more than 88 games or so.
JoeBrady
Their moves so far indicate that the Angels believe they can contend in 2025
=============================
I doubt it. They probably need 25 more wins, and this is about a 2 win improvement.
YourDreamGM
Good call on division. With peak Astros they aren’t this aggressive or it would be a bad idea.
KamKid
Man, the comments around here make me sad. Beyond being a good pitcher, Kikuchi has been a joy to watch play. Baseball is an entertainment product and Kikuchi is entertaining and endearing as a person and has abilities that make you want to watch him play. The idea that he was bad outside of a small stretch in Houston isn’t true either. If there’s only one peripheral stat that isn’t in line with the actual result, sure, I’m not hanging my hat on that one metric and hoping that’s the one indicator that future success is coming. But when all the stats say his results were unlucky (and still not bad), I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I don’t understand how any fanbase is turning their nose up at a starter with a 22% K-bb% who made all his starts and was 30th in the league in innings pitched last season. Was an above average pitcher the year before too. He has rare stuff from the left side. You are using him in the postseason no doubt (well, I guess you have to get there first). You have a mid rotation starter for $60m. Sure, he’s a little older and there’s always risk with that. But that’s reflected in the limited term and he’s been really durable.
Teamspirit
Good signing. We need older, mature players to help out the kids. Kikuchi is a solid signing.
YourDreamGM
Many people here still look at era. Think wins are important. Pitchers need to go 8 9 innings. They don’t realize how good he actually is. Nor do they consider how unattractive LAA is a destination. I gave them a A. It’s a solid contract.
Low IQ Angels Management
Lol. How many times did Kikuchi go 8-9 innings last year. I’ll wait…
JoeBrady
He doesn’t. In 6 seasons, he pitched into the 8th inning four times.
fortunes4
Angels annouce Kikuchi needs TJ surgery after the pen to sign the deal was too heavy.
Old York
@fortunes4
Yeah, I’ve had that happen far too many times. Fortunately, insurance covers TJS due to it being a work injury.
DCDude2007
I like Kikuchi’s signing with LA. I think Moreno made a good decision in my opinion and Kikuchi, Anderson, and Kyle Hendricks sounds nice to me. That is, before any potential injuries.
jbigz12
That would’ve been an excellent rotation in 2020.
DCDude2007
True but Kikuchi has excellent peripherals. Just a great fit for the LA rotation on a rebuilding team. Next question is for the Angels, what happens with Taylor Ward?
johncoltrane
33 yrs old, era north of 4, & $63 mil
Snell got less than that coming off a cy young
YourDreamGM
Snell definitely got himself that. If he negotiated better for and wanted longer term he would have beat this contract. Easily.
HalosHeavenJJ
Perry loves to sign guys coming off a great season then is shocked when the results don’t continue.
Kikuchi is this years Anderson or Stephenson.
That said he probably has the most upside of the second tier and the Angels need a gamble or two to pay off if we’re going to be anything close to competitive.
Acoss1331
If Yusei falls apart, at least he won’t bog the team down for like 5 or 6 years, but I think he has a good shot of being decent for you guys.
Rexhudler86
@halosheavenjj. Good take. I’m guessing he thought that was the best within the price. I would’ve went with beiber even if he might miss half the season or year. After that sugano or buehler. Always could just said screw it, and just signed lorenzen since he has a good first half until he gets tired.
HalosHeavenJJ
I like the Lorenzen angle because Dana, Klassen, and sone other starters are knocking on the MLB door.
If one breaks through, Lorenzen is a good bullpen piece the last two months.
Rexhudler86
@halosheavenjj. That might be why they signed Hendricks. Probably half the price since lorenzen is probably around 5-7 million. Kikuchi is the Anderson replacement. Now hopefully they trade him this year with the rookies needing looks and Hendricks can eat innings instead of cueto.
YaGottaBelieveAgain
Because LAA is maybe currently a borderline playoff team LAA probably only has a smaller # of pitchers that will sign with them.
I think there is a good possibility LAA can still sign another fairly decent starter and a couple relievers. A player that looks at their roster now might think ” the weather is good in CA, there is lots to see on days off, things to do etc. (esp. in offseason etc.) Get to play with Trout – I’ll take your money Thank You”
HalosHeavenJJ
Borderline playoff team is generous but OC is one of the best places to live, especially if you have money.
Rexhudler86
@halosheaven. If trout can play a full season or atleast only miss 40 games they should be fringe. It’s not like he’s declining just his health. The lineup isn’t bad. They have a ok rotation. Just need another top end reliever to complement Joyce, and Stephenson. The bullpen was one the best in the mlb after the deadline with the younger guys coming up. It’s progress.
Low IQ Angels Management
Play with Trout? Trout doesn’t play. Borderline playoff team? Lmao. They lost 99 games last year and were the worst team in the league, save for the White Sox. You think they are somehow making a playoff run by signing a #5 starter? Smh
JoeBrady
YaGottaBelieveAgain
Because LAA is maybe currently a borderline playoff team
=============================
They were 23 games behind a playoff spot last year.
YourDreamGM
I like it for them. LAA isn’t a premier destination. I like that they struck early. Like the ceiling. He doesn’t need to be 2024 good. Just 2023 good. Somewhere in between and they make out.
AngelsFan1972
HaloHeavan
I agree with you. I don’t mind the signing at all
I like how active the Angels have been. Who knows, maybe this is the year Trout finally avoids the injury bug, add Stephenson to the mix and it is essentially 2 more big signings to this years team.
Hopefully the Angels aren’t done, but it looks like a solid foundation to build on so far.
LaBellaVita
Given his above-average performance for the past two years, with Steamer, he is expected to generate 2.9 fWAR in 2025. By the market approximation of 5 million for the first fWAR and 10 million per fWAR above that, 2.9 fWAR = $24 million. The assumption is that in subsequent years, his production will decrease. In short, the contract at an AAV of 21 million is consistent, within a typical margin of variation, with previous years’ market signings.
Kikuchi has been healthy for virtually all of his career.
Terry B
Major overpay but not my money! The big name guys love it though, Burnes, Fried, Snell, Flaherty and several others will benefit greatly from this signing!
Rexhudler86
@Terry b. Is it a huge overpay when he was projected 3/60. He’s also sandwiched between those guys with his peripherals. He’s a yo-yo type pitcher hope they hire a interpretor to tell him the gameplan. He’s a Anderson replacement around 170 innings with a sub 4 era. That’s the price.
YourDreamGM
Not a overpay at all. Not a bargain but it’s a fair contract.
Low IQ Angels Management
21 million a year for a pitcher to give you 5 innings a start, and give up 4 runs a game. In what world is that not a gross overpay? He’s barely better than Hendricks who got what, 5 million?
YourDreamGM
Went over 5 innings 20 times. And giving up 4 runs is fine. If your team can’t win a game where starter gives up 4 runs your not a good team anyways.
AngelsFan1972
I agree not an overpay at all. It is right in line with what most projected his contract to be.
gold masters
Great move arte.
Great move Perry.
A good starter, who makes all his starts.
I guess trout, won’t be traded now
They have already done enough off season moves, to get a wild card spot
Wouldn’t it be something if they clicked on all cylinders in 2025
Can you add another top notch reliever
Remember the 02 angels
Everyone does average and above
YankeesBleacherCreature
I rag on Moreno just as much as anybody but it’s great to see him come out of his shell handing out a multi-year deal for a SP. Kikuchi and Soler will help improve the team next season.
Rexhudler86
@YBC. This is probably predicting flaherty will get 5/100. He doesn’t turn thirty until next year. This was probably arte’s max. He has good underlying numbers hopefully someone can tell him the gameplan. Need to get a interpretor that’s a catcher, or gets the game.
bullred
Instead of paying Kikuchi 21 mil/yr the jays can invest a little more and sign a better pitcher for 25 to 30 mil/yr. There are a couple of options available.
YaGottaBelieveAgain
An investment made in a “better pitcher” yes but are previous results a guarantee of future performance. Some pitchers are more consistent.
bullred
“31 comments are hidden because you muted the comment authors”. Love the mute button!
YourDreamGM
Me too. See ya bye bye
top jimmy
Wow! $21M AAV for this guy?! No thanks.
dano62
Teams that jump too fast of late miss the market point; I know Angels likely needed to overpay at this stage but waiting for the signings to start falling & grabbing a younger mid-level arm for $10m less (over 3 years) is doable IMO. Picture Pivetta at 3x$16.5
YourDreamGM
Good luck. There’s only so many good pitchers and how many teams are looking for them? Cities cheaper to work in. Teams with better playoff chances. Angels probably smart to jump on this deal.
Low IQ Angels Management
Now sign Fried and Snell and they’d have a halfway palatable pitching staff.
Jerry Dipoto's Grandma
Was hoping Yusei would sign somewhere outside the AL West. His pitching seemingly goes super saiyan especially when starting against the M’s. I think he has something he wants to prove, then he does a great job proving it :/
Rexhudler86
@jerry d. I wonder if Ryu helped him. Seems he needs someone to fill in the blanks, maybe Astros had someone to fill in the gaps. Hopefully angels double down and hire someone. Seems like everything is there but lost in translation.
Nick Hogan
Yusei….I only feel what I want to
Chemo850
21 million per season for THAT!? This dude would be about 11th on the Marlins rotation pitching depth chart. WTF
Reynaldo's
Educate yourself on what qualifies as an average starter.
Astros_fan_in_Aus
Congratulations. Over 200 comments, and yours is the silliest.
Redstitch108* 2
Terrible signing. $20+ MM/yr for a below average starter. WTF are the Angels doing?
Reynaldo's
Educate yourself on what qualifies as an average starter.
JoeBrady
Just imho, an average starter is someone with an average ERA/FIP and an average number of innings. He throws a decent amount of innings, but his career ERA+ is 91, well below league-average.
Or the way I like to look at things is, if you signed 5 Kikuchis, and they all pitched to Kikuchi’s career ERA of 4.57, you’d have spent half your budget on a pretty poor rotation.
Redstitch108* 2
Educate yourself? Ridiculous comment
YourDreamGM
Nothing below average about him. He’s a #3 and you need 5 starters. That’s what it cost to convince him to sign this early with LAA. I don’t think he would have been any cheaper in January so I like it.
Low IQ Angels Management
#3 on the Yankees. Name 2 better starters on the Angels last year… I’ll wait.
outinleftfield
3 year deal for an aging starter with a low 4 ERA. Fits Arte’s ideas on pitchers perfectly. Angels fans, just get comfortable with the idea that we will never see a top starting pitcher in an Angels uniform while Arte owns the team.
Angels deals so far
Hendricks on cheap deal
Newman on cheap deal
d’Arnaud on cheap deal
Soler in trade
A few depth pieces, Kingery, Noda, etc…
Now Kikuchi
Minasian did provide improvement at DH and backup catcher. Kikuchi should be an improvement over Canning and Detmer.
Other than possibly the 35 year old Japanese import Sugano, the Angels are probably now done for the offseason with the exception of some relievers.
YankeesBleacherCreature
There are plenty of recent non-tenders to sign. Some are healing to get healthy to showcase themselves later. The offseason is young.
outinleftfield
Non-tender to sign. The very depth pieces I spoke of. Maybe the closer from the Nationals. The relievers I mentioned.
Rexhudler86
@outinleftfield. Wouldn’t surprise me if sugano signs with the giants, and the angels pivoted. I agree it’s probably another reliever and decent one with minor league signings. Still need a triple a centerfielder, utility guy,catcher (unless they resign wallach) and probably a another reliever. (Strickland type)
AngelsFan1972
@Rexhudler
My Wishlist:
I’d love to see them get a Keke Hernandez type. I’d put money on Wallach returning.
I am still holding out hope, yes I know it is a long shot, that they sign one more pitcher ( Freid, Flaherty, Manaea ) and move Hendricks to spot start and long relieve. That would make the Angels have one of the deepest pitching staffs in baseball.
I’d love to see Strickland back, if only for some veteran leadership in the pen. Plus with Stephenson returning , they’d be good mentors to Joyce.
Rexhudler86
@angelsfan1972.
Yeah I wanted Hernandez before they signed Newman. Not sure if he would take the job to sit the bench. Have a feeling moore will be called up. I was thinking more of a guillorme type for the minors. I agree with wallach doesn’t seem like he cares about being in the minors not a bad third catcher, and probably a future coach.
Don’t think we will get another pitcher unless kikuchi is sasaki’s Godfather. Definitely wouldn’t mind it they added just don’t think it’s likely.
As far as the bullpen it could be a couple decent signings. not sure if saurez or quijada spots are guaranteed. They could always call up a young guy to spot start or maybe detmers. If someone blows up or gets hurt.
AngelsFan1972
@Rexhulder
Hey it is MY wish list….lol I get what you are saying though.
I still am hoping they continue to beat everyone else and sign early. So far everything they have done makes sense. They have a good young nucleus of kids who have never been surrounds by guys who have “been there/ done that” .
They still need to piece or to to makes this an “A” on the off season report card.
Wagner>Cobb
Kikuchi definitely looks better if Flaherty or Fried are signing as well…But idk where they slot in with Hendricks in tow. To be fair, the 2.5 million they are paying him is cheap enough that he could be a 6th starter/swing man. Or cut if he does poorly in the spring.
The ideal/unlikely:
1. Flaherty/Fried
2. Kikuchi
3. Anderson
4. Soriano
5. Detmers
– Hendricks
– Silseth
– Kochanowicz
Sign Finnegan/Romano/Strickland/Chargois for the bullpen and things are sitting pretty on the staff side.
Rexhudler86
@wagner. Definitely wouldn’t complain if they signed someone else. I just think kikuchi was the most arte was going to spend. He doesn’t care about spending just is reluctant on pitching. Plus Soriano is the ace.
The bullpen should be fine, but i think they sign someone around moore or estevez price range for a year. Probably another minor league guy or Strickland after that
Reynaldo's
Who are Yusei’s advisors? Has he not learned anything from Ohtani’s time in Anaheim? Or was he insistent on being on the West Coast and this was the only substantial offer that he got? Such a shame to see him waste his talent in this dump of an org.
stymeedone
When offered more than your agent said to expect, you take the deal, and try not to smile too widely while doing so.
bkbk
Dude, the Angels developed Ohtani. Also, Arte is the worst, but the team had INSANE bad injury luck during Ohtanis tenure.
JoeBrady
Dude, the Angels developed Ohtani.
=============================
Dude, he learned to pitch in Japan.
Alexpulido7051 2
Makes more sense now that they Non Tendered Sandoval. I really do hope Sandoval is able to get healthy and have a successful baseball career. He did excellent work for team Mexico. From an Angels standpoint it looks like they needed the 40 man roster spot and it might not be until two more years before Sandoval was able to pitch without an innings limit. Too many injuries have hindered their ability to win in the last ten years. Mike Trout is not getting any younger and it seems the window to win got moved closer! Baseball experts think they know it all, but it’s all a big guess after roster building and injuries. Who would have predicted Arizona and Texas playing in the World Series two years ago?
YourDreamGM
I don’t think they were tendering him with or without this signing.
HALfromVA
Leave it to the Angels. WTF. Ridiculous overpay.
Jerry Hairston Jr's Toupee
Angels with another peripheral signing. Don’t mean a thing unless they reel in some big fish….
Degaz
Way overpaid…WTF Angels?
YourDreamGM
A for Angels
Low IQ Angels Management
You must also be a “participation” trophy parent.
AngelsFan1972
Low IQ
And you must be the Uncle in the stands without a child, complaining about everything, because you really don’t want to be an Angel fan.
We all get it, you aren’t an Angel fan. Time to move along.
Low IQ Angels Management
No thanks I’ll stay here and make you mad. Thanks though, bootlicker
BoylingPoint
An overpay for an older very mediocre pitcher that has a good 10 game stretch in Houston but is still a career 4.59era 34 year old pitcher
YourDreamGM
Sounds like just right amount.
gold masters
Houston helped kikuchi, by going to his slider, twice as much. This guy is going to pitch really good.
I am 72 and feel about 11.
He might be a young 34
Remember the titans
Remember the 02 angels
Part of the mlb script, is for the angels to win it all in 2025
Watch it happen
Dumpster Divin Theo
72 and 11, that sounds about right: wins respectively
YourDreamGM
Fair deal. For Angels it’s a A. Cant see them getting him any cheaper. He was fantastic for Houston. Started season strong. Bumpy in middle but it’s how you finish.
Unhappy Halo Hopeful
One more major league starter and a proven infielder with some power and I’ll be happy.
Niekro floater
Nice start as far as effort for Angel’s offseason but there’s alot of work to be done. If they can keep adding lil pieces of puzzle like more pitching. Steal Dodgers FAs Buehler, Teo, Kike, make BigA Dodgers South. @least they’re spending.
GO1962
Arte Moreno is definitely a fan of baseball and spends alot of money on his Angels. Good luck to the Angels in 2025, hopefully, for the sake of their fans and Arte, they win more than 81 regular season games.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Underpay. Unless it’s the Angels. Then overpay
IBleedDodgerBlue33
C.J. Wilson was a lefty.
Dumpster Divin Theo
CJ Wilson was a Mazda dealer
Dumpster Divin Theo
I am the Eggman. I am the Eggman. He is the Walrus. Kikuichi-kichoo.
Buffett
Your career is over
cooperhill
Old, stale news, this was yesterday.
gold masters
Go ahead arte and continue make a gigantic display of immense off season transactions. Invest another 100 million. It’s just money.
Keep the momentum. Do not count on anyone. The team lost 99. Go ahead and get another big name, or two.
You haven’t done anything yet
pmollan
MLB needs a salary cap
Yanks4life22
RIP Kikuchi. Hell of a run but now your baseball career is dead, and you’re in heaven with a fat contract and no pressure to win. Why do you think they call them “Angels”?
scruffmcgruff
You never know. Maybe the Angels could win the pennant. It could happen. But they’re going to need Tony Danza and Danny Glover.
Fbi
Atkins too busy courting soto to see everyone signing elsewhere as usual. Lack of leadership and planning
AngelsFan1972
Way too much complaining going on i here.
I like how active the Angels have been! It is a nice change in strategy. In years past, they’d go get a big name guy and supplement with cast offs or non tendered players. This year is a new philosophy, how can all you haters be mad at that?
They were not going to win a lot had they gone after Soto and or Burnes and spent the budget that way. It is a LONG season, You have to have depth to outlast the others.
Wagner>Cobb
Slightly underwhelming if this is their only rotation addition. If they were to also add Flaherty, things would look more promising. This team is very far off from being competitive, though they say that is still the goal. Kikuchi, Anderson, Hendricks, Detmers, and Soriano is ok and could be intriguing. Hendricks is the clear weak link here…imagine if they had Flaherty/Pivetta/Manaea/Eovaldi instead? Or even an upside signing like Bieber or Buehler? Shoot, a trade for Erick Fedde from StL would even have looked better. I suppose my criticism is not with adding Kikuchi, but rather with the addition of Hendricks which makes the Kikuchi signing less impactful. If Kikuchi is the 2nd best pitcher you sign, then things are looking quite good.
Offensively, everything still comes down to Trout’s health. The supporting cast of O’Hoppe, Soler, Ward, Neto, Rengifo, Adell, and Schanuel looks nice if the big man can play 120-13o games with health down the stretch.
Since the Rendon disaster, it seems like they are constantly adding at the margins and hoping everything will click one year. With how bad the division was last year, that window might have passed.
AngelsFan1972
@Wagner
I disagree with underwhelming, but that is what debates are for. Right?
I think the Angels pitching looks deep. Of course strong additions would be amazing to see (Manaea/ Flaherty.) My gut is Eovaldi wants too much $$$. My assumption is he wants as much as Freid. If that is the case, then no thanks.
SP
Soriano (RHP
Anderson (LHP)
Kochanowicz (RHP)
Kikuchi (LHP)
5th spot, pen, or minors waiting to be called up
Detmers(LHP)
Hendricks (RHP)
Dana(RHP)
Aldegheri (LHP)
Bullpen
Joyce (RHP)
Stephenson (RHP)
Suarez (LHP)
Quijeda (LHP)
Daniel (RHP)
Crouse/ Burke/ Mderios
Would like to see Strickland back and see the kids in the minors getting more experience.
Wagner>Cobb
I only say underwhelming if the plan is for Hendricks to occupy a guaranteed spot in the rotation. Kikuchi – in a vacuum – is definitely a nice signing. I just think it looks worse overall if KH is the only other meaningful addition to the rotation. If KH is seen by the org as a swingman/6th spot guy, then it makes sense to me.
I think Kikuchi looks like a brilliant signing if he is following a Flaherty or a Fried or a (slightly less so) Manaea in the rotation.
Wagner>Cobb
Or, alternatively, imagine if they were to add Sasaki (highly unlikely) with the intention for a 6 man set up.
1. Sasaki
2. Kikuchi
3. Soriano
4. Anderson
5. Detmers
6. Hendricks/Silseth/Kochanowicz/Dana/Aldegheri
AngelsFan1972
Hey it is the Holidays, so nothing wrong with wishful thinking.
I don’t know how much the Angels have in their international budget, but they have proven they treat Japanese players right. Other than not resigning Ohtani, they did everything he asked for. So they have the best track record (1 of 1) of anyone.
And let’s face it. Ohtanai was going to the Dodgers no matter what after the Angels missed the playoffs in 23.
Low IQ Angels Management
You’re not a real Angels fan. You don’t know nothing about Shigatoshi Hasigawa.
Teamspirit
Get Manaea and Soto and the Angels are bada bing right in there.
Rexhudler86
@angels1972. Where’s zeferjahn. He should be a lock. But I agree we should have two open spots. Maybe three saurez,qui,Daniel shouldn’t be on the roster.
MLBTR needs to hire editors
Come on, kid. “Complicated as that contract was” is NOT PROPER ENGLISH. You can’t just leave “as” out at the beginning of the sentence because you feel like it. Correct grammar isn’t optional, and if you want more people to pay for your site, write better.
wileycoyote56
Sad day, probably be the last time anyone hears of him again. Only thing worse would be signing with the White Sox, but either way he’s played in his last meaningful game for 3 seasons.
Erstad 2
I think the Angels have to overpay a little for players. Why would a player sign with a non competitive team when they could get the same salary with a playoff bound team ? They need to trade or overpay for decent players. The Cubs would trade Bellinger and include some salary compensation. May be the only way to add an above average player with power that can play all outfield spots, 1B if needed and DH. This may entice a #1 or #2 SP to sign with Angels and possibly a playoff spot.
AngelsFan1972
@Erstad
The Angels did NOT overpay! The contract he received what right in line with what the analysts predicted.
I get it if you think it is too much money, because he is being paid a TON. But they didn’t overpay.
Low IQ Angels Management
Thanks for your comments Perry.
Rexhudler86
@erstad 2. It’s really not about enticing players to come to Anaheim. Arte doesn’t spend money on pitching. That’s was his price range, and that’s who they got.
Erstad 2
3 year $60 Million was the projected so like I said “ a little overpay”
No need for caps and exclamation marks. I’m happy they’re signing players. Still need a couple more to be a playoff contender
Psychguy
Maybe with another quality starter, and they do need a top guy, and a few bats they might be respectable.
rave323
MLB needs to step in and take over the Angels. They are a terrible organization. This signing is yet another example. Brutal. Blow it up and rebuild.
AngelsFan1972
@rave
Go troll elsewhere.
The Angels have been more aggressive than all the other teams in their division combined.
vtadave
Aggressive move for 4th place.
fansincethe80s
thats an improvent over last year, what’s your point?
aragon
$21 million per season? They could have signed a saff ace! Unbelievable!
AngelsFan1972
@aragon
Snell was $36 mil, so you are way off.
For $21 mil they could have got an ace 5-7 years ago….maybe
SheaGoodbye
Some of that is deferrals though, so present day value it’s more like ~32 million. Even with his injury history and the length of the contract, I’d rather have Snell than be paying over $20 million for someone like Kikuchi.
Also, I think the assumption of a pitcher staying healthy just because they’ve been healthy in the past is silly, especially at Kikuchi’s age. So while it did and should bolster his value, there’s a fair chance he ends up getting hurt at some point over the next couple of years regardless. How would the contract look then? Likely not great. Past health should only take you so far in your mid 30s.
AngelsFan1972
@Shea
You completely missed my point that you are not signing an ace at $21 mil per season,
…and where did I say Kikuchi was a better because of health worries vs Snell?
cooperhill
Very old news!
driftwood bat
At least one team is making moves. I hate this slow time during the off season.
runningwithnailclippers
Hey now… can’t forget the Dodgers and Reds too.. I think that’s it. 🙂
hoof hearted
Yusei for 21M OR Luis Castillo for 24M???
Yusei is no Luis.
No wonder old guys like Morton are hanging around-$
Non Roster Invitee
4-13 5.19 ERA first year.
hoof hearted
‘will the real Yusei Kikuchi please stand up”? Lets see which version is the real YK.
radhippo
Yep, Here’s 63 million!!!
tigerdiesel
That Rick porcello deal really change the market for mid tier pitcher value is worth now.