The Toronto Blue Jays appear to be clear winners now in their 2024 deadline trade with the Houston Astros after Yusei Kikuchi landed with the Los Angeles Angels in free agency.

Free-agent starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi signed a three-year contract worth $63 million with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, according to Jon Heyman of

The Los Angeles Angels continued their busy winter on Monday, reportedly agreeing to a three-year pact worth $63 million with left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi. The Angels came into the week having added outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler,

Kikuchi joins a projected rotation that includes left-handers Tyler Anderson and Reid Detmers and right-handers José Soriano and Kyle Hendricks, who left the Chicago Cubs as a free agent and agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract.

Though his contract covers his age 34-36 seasons and his MLB track record is only ordinary, Kikuchi has a well above average four-seamer and dominated in the second half.

Veteran left-handed starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi has agreed to terms with the Angels on a three-year, $63 million free-agent contract, reports the New York Post. Kickuchi, 33, is coming off a 2024 season in which he logged a 4.

The Angels have been the most aggressive club in free agency this offseason, and they kept it up on Monday with their first big splash, agreeing to a three-year, $63 million deal with left-hander Yusei Kikuchi.

Angels starters ranked near the bottom of MLB in strikeouts last season, which is one of the reasons they feel that Kikuchi will be an important upgrade. GM Perry Minasian says they could still