As first reported by longtime MLB reporter Jon Heyman Monday morning, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have made the first big move of the offseason — inking free agent pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to a 3-year deal worth approximately $63 million.
The market has been a bit slow over the first couple of months of the offseason. The likes of Juan Soto, Max Fried, Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, Willy Adames, and others have yet to come off the board.
Looking to strike quickly with moves to improve their ballclub, the Angels have been more active than any team thus far.
Kikuchi had an interesting season in 2024. He started with an ERA near 5.00 with the Blue Jays before being dealt to the Astros. While in Houston, he reinvented himself from a pitching standpoint. Kikuchi became less reliant on his curveball and instead focused more on a fastball-slider combo.
The results spoke for themselves. After going 4-9 with the Blue Jays, Kikuchi went 5-1 with the Astros sporting a 2.70 ERA. He won’t blow you away with elite stuff. Having said that, he knows how to pitch — and he instantly gives the Angels a steady, reliable arm atop their rotation.
Working on the fringes without spending a boatload of money on a singular free agent has been the m.o. for the Angels’ front office thus far.
In addition to Kikuchi, LA has signed a plethora of veterans in INF Kevin Newman, C Travis D’Arnaud, SP Kyle Hendricks, and OF Jorge Soler (via trade). All five of these guys are not only experienced but are said to be very positive influences in a clubhouse.
The Angels have a very young team, and it makes sense to surround the core with veteran influences. It could be a situation where the team outperforms expectations based on character, team chemistry, and a good mix of kids and vets. Hendricks and Newman are on 1-year deals, meaning that the Angels could flip them at the trade deadline for prospects. D’Arnaud is a perfect mentor for budding star Logan O’Hoppe. Soler provides some real pop from the right side and some cover for Mike Trout.
While the Angels likely won’t contend for a playoff spot, these moves do signal a philosophical change. The front office seems reticent to commit massive money to aging superstars. We’ve seen how the franchise got sandbagged by Anthony Rendon and, to an extent, Albert Pujols.
There’s still some work the team can do to improve. With a few more tweaks, this team should at the very least be a credible ballclub as the young players on the roster continue to mature and grow.
