Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi announced as Angels’ opening day starter
1 month, 1 week ago

Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi announced as Angels’ opening day starter

LA Times  

Two years ago, Major League Baseball began asking clubs to refrain from announcing opening-day starters until the final week of spring training in hopes that a coordinated release of the opening-day pitching matchups would drum up more interest and intrigue in the games. The Angels manager announced on Thursday that left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, who signed a three-year, $63-million deal last November, will start the team’s season opener against the Chicago White Sox on March 27. “It’s obvious,” Washington said as the team held its second-to-last workout before Saturday’s Cactus League opener against the Seattle Mariners. We brought him here to lead our staff.” Kikuchi, a 33-year-old veteran with a 41-47 career record and 4.57 ERA in 166 games over six big-league seasons, went 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA in 22 starts with the Toronto Blue Jays last season but was dominant after being traded in late July to the Houston Astros, going 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 starts for the American League West champions.

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Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and the LA Angels finalize a $63 million, 3-year contract
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and the LA Angels finalize a $63 million, 3-year contract

Associated Press  

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels are rebuilding from the worst season in franchise history, and they think Yusei Kikuchi will be a solid piece of their new foundation. The veteran left-hander and the Angels finalized a $63 million, three-year contract on Wednesday, adding another veteran arm to the Halos’ revamped rotation. Angels general manager Perry Minasian said the …

What we’re hearing about the Chicago Cubs: Starting pitching and coaching changes
4 months ago

What we’re hearing about the Chicago Cubs: Starting pitching and coaching changes

New York Times  

Shota Imanaga outperformed all expectations during his dazzling rookie season, a reminder the Chicago Cubs’ patient and disciplined approach to free agents can pay big dividends. Though Craig Counsell’s coaching staff has already undergone some changes, team sources said the Cubs are also making adjustments to the hitting side of player development. Along with the addition of Haines — a …

Pitcher Yusei Kikuchi and Los Angeles Angels agree to a $63 million, 3-year contract, AP source says
4 months ago

Pitcher Yusei Kikuchi and Los Angeles Angels agree to a $63 million, 3-year contract, AP source says

Associated Press  

Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a $63 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The 33-year-old Kikuchi gets $21 million annually during the contract, which raises his Major League Baseball earnings to $142 million over nine seasons. An All-Star with Seattle in 2021, Kikuchi was 9-10 with a …

Yusei Kikuchi helps the Angels, but he can’t be their big offseason move: Law
4 months ago

Yusei Kikuchi helps the Angels, but he can’t be their big offseason move: Law

New York Times  

Yusei Kikuchi is exactly what the Angels need to be competitors, as long as they also sign three more starters and Juan Soto. That’s a long way of saying they had zero reliable starters going into the offseason, defining reliable as someone likely to be average and at least pitch enough to qualify for the ERA title. GO DEEPER After …

After signing Yusei Kikuchi, 5 things the Angels could do next
4 months ago

After signing Yusei Kikuchi, 5 things the Angels could do next

New York Times  

Believe it or not, the Los Angeles Angels just completed their most expensive deal of the past five winters. Trade Tyler Anderson While the Angels need starter depth and quality starting pitching, making a deal here could address other, more pressing needs. But Estévez knows the Angels, seemingly enjoyed his time with the team and could create quite the back …

Yusei Kikuchi, Yordan Alvarez lead Astros past Angels 5-3 for Houston’s 5,000th victory
6 months, 1 week ago

Yusei Kikuchi, Yordan Alvarez lead Astros past Angels 5-3 for Houston’s 5,000th victory

Associated Press  

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Yusei Kikuchi pitched seven innings of three-hit ball in another sharp start, and Yordan Alvarez homered and drove in two runs in the Houston Astros ' 5,000th victory, 5-3 over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night. Rookie Samuel Aldegheri couldn’t get out of the third inning in his third major league start for the Angels, yielding …

Angels struggle to generate offense against Yusei Kikuchi and Astros in loss
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Angels struggle to generate offense against Yusei Kikuchi and Astros in loss

LA Times  

Angels shortstop Jack López throws to first to complete a double play during the eighth inning of a 5-3 loss to the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium on Friday night. Yusei Kikuchi pitched seven innings of three-hit ball in another sharp start, and Yordan Alvarez homered and drove in two runs in the Houston Astros’ 5,000th victory, 5-3 over the …

Astros acquire Yusei Kikuchi from Blue Jays for prospect Jake Bloss, Joey Loperfido and prospect
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Astros acquire Yusei Kikuchi from Blue Jays for prospect Jake Bloss, Joey Loperfido and prospect

Associated Press  

HOUSTON — The Astros acquired left-hander Yusei Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday for 23-year-old right-hander Jake Bloss, rookie outfielder Joey Loperfido and minor league first baseman Will Wagner. “I’m excited to get him with our pitching department so we can make some adjustments to how he pitches, how he can be more efficient, but the stuff is …

Dodgers bringing back Kiké Hernández in trade with Red Sox
1 year, 8 months ago

Dodgers bringing back Kiké Hernández in trade with Red Sox

LA Times  

Kiké Hernández is coming back to Los Angeles, the Dodgers taking a gamble he’ll look more like the player he was in his first stint with the team. Boston’s Kiké Hernández, right, celebrates with Justin Turner, another former Dodger, after scoring a run for the Red Sox against the Minnesota Twins on April 18. “But for us, the bet is …

Kenley Jansen signs one-year, $16-million contract with the Atlanta Braves
3 years ago

Kenley Jansen signs one-year, $16-million contract with the Atlanta Braves

LA Times  

Days after the Dodgers signed former Braves star Freddie Freeman, Atlanta signs former Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen to a one-year contract. For the first time since 2013, someone not named Kenley Jansen will be the Dodgers’ closer on opening day. Jansen and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a one-year contract worth $16 million, the team announced Friday, officially ending his …

Dodgers Dugout: Who is going to replace Kiké Hernández?
4 years, 2 months ago

Dodgers Dugout: Who is going to replace Kiké Hernández?

LA Times  

Hi, and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. You have been a good pitcher your entire career, and you don’t have to walk around with your head down.’ … Then he said he is glad it’s over with.” Aaron faced horrific verbal abuse and death threats from white supremacists who didn’t want a Black man holding the home run …

Kiké Hernández leaving the Dodgers after reaching two-year deal with Red Sox
4 years, 2 months ago

Kiké Hernández leaving the Dodgers after reaching two-year deal with Red Sox

LA Times  

Kiké Hernández tosses his bat away after hitting a pop fly for the Dodgers against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Aug. 2. Another member of the Dodgers’ World Series team found a new home Friday when utility player Kiké Hernández and the Boston Red Sox agreed on a two-year contract. Hernández, 29, reached free agency with one priority: joining a team …

Yusei Kikuchi finalizes $56M, 4-year contract with Mariners
6 years, 2 months ago

Yusei Kikuchi finalizes $56M, 4-year contract with Mariners

Associated Press  

SEATTLE — Japanese left-hander Yusei Kikuchi has finalized four-year contract with the Seattle Mariners that guarantees $56 million and incudes club options that could make it worth $109 million over seven seasons. “Yusei’s combination of character, talent, experience and relative age made him a primary target in our roster building plans,” Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto said. The Mariners would …

Angels top Dodgers in Freeway Series opener that shows starters getting up to speed
8 years, 11 months ago

Angels top Dodgers in Freeway Series opener that shows starters getting up to speed

LA Times  

Dodgers starter Scott Kazmir, with his patented high leg kick, delivers a pitch against the Angels on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. Scott Kazmir said he “doesn’t put too much stock” in his spring-training numbers, which is probably a sound investment strategy for the Dodgers left-hander. Featuring a fastball that sat in the 89-mph range and an effective changeup, Kazmir allowed …

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