The Los Angeles Angels are continuing their pre-holiday shopping spree, agreeing to terms with free-agent pitcher Yusei Kikuchi on a three-year contract.
The 33-year old left-hander agreed to a $63 million contract, according to a baseball official with direct knowledge of the deal.
The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.
Kikuchi finished last season in dominant fashion after being traded to the Houston Astros. He spent eight seasons in Japan before signing with the Seattle Mariners in 2019. After making the AL All-Star team in 2021, he joined the Toronto Blue Jays for 2 1/2 seasons and was dealt to Houston in late July.
With the Astros, Kikuchi started relying on his slider more than ever. And the results were impressive. In 10 starts with Houston, Kikuchi went 5-1 down the stretch with a 2.70 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 60 innings.
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Over 166 games (154 starts) in his six-year MLB career, Kikuchi has an overall record of 41-47 with a 4.57 ERA.
He becomes the fourth free agent Angels general manager Perry Minasian has signed so far this offseason, joining pitcher Kyle Hendricks, catcher Travis d’Arnaud and infielder Kevin Newman.
Kikuchi could potentially be the Angels’ opening-day starter, fronting a rotation that includes righties Hendricks and Jose Soriano, and southpaws Reid Detmers and Tyler Anderson.