The Los Angeles Angels have added another notable veteran to their roster.
Free-agent starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi agreed to a $3-year, $63 million deal with the Angels on Monday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Kikuchi, 33, posted a 4.05 ERA last season in 32 starts split between the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros. He had an excellent second half of the year after he was traded to Houston and allowed just 18 earned runs in 10 games. Kikuchi struck out 76 batters in 60 innings with the Astros and had a 2.70 ERA after the trade.
Kikuchi has been one of the most durable starting pitchers in baseball over his six MLB seasons. The left-hander pitched in 29 or more games in five of his first six seasons, with the lone exception being the pandemic-shortened season in 2020.
The Japanese-born Kikuchi has a career ERA of 4.57. He was named an All-Star in 2021, when he went 7-9 with a 4.41 ERA across 29 starts with the Seattle Mariners.
The Angels finished 63-99 last season and have not been to the playoffs in a decade. While they are clearly in need of a rebuild, they continue to throw significant money at veteran players who are in their 30s.
