Yusei Kikuchi is heading to the Toronto Blue Jays. The left-hander agreed to a three-year, $36 million contract. MLB Insider Jon Heyman was the first to report the news on Twitter. Kikuchi earned his first All-Star nod in 2021 with the Seattle Mariners. Before the lockout, Heyman reported that Toronto made a “strong push” for the pitcher as soon as he left the JPL to MLB.
Breaking: Yusei Kikuchi to the Jays.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 12, 2022
Kikuchi presents an option to take pressure off of Nate Pearson at the back of the rotation. Furthermore, it will give Pearson, Trent Thornton, and Ross Stripling a chance to be the sixth starter or come out of the bullpen. Last year, he posted his best season in North America, finishing with a 7-9 record with a 4.41 ERA in 157 innings. He opted out with the Mariners with $13 million on the table. There are plenty of reasons why he’s a natural fit for Toronto. In 2021, he pitched well against the AL East, posting a 3.89 ERA against Toronto’s four division foes. However, there are reasons for concern. After the All-Star break, Kikuchi posted a 5.98 ERA as opponents hit .300 against him.
The signing comes less than a day after the Blue Jays signed reliever Andrew Vasquez to a major league deal. A southpaw like Kikuchi, Vasquez has 6 2/3 MLB innings to his credit across stints with the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers. His primary choice of pitch is a looping curveball. Before the lockout, Toronto signed reliever Yimi García to a two-year, $11-million contract. Then, they signed right-handed starter Kevin Gausman to a five-year, $110-million deal.
The Blue Jays now have themselves have an excellent rotation. With another pitcher to the rotation, Kikuchi will likely be the fifth starter with Alek Manoah, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Jose Bérríos, and Gausman ahead of him.
Players Mentioned:
Yusei Kikuchi, Alek Manoah, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Kevin Gausman, Jose Bérríos, Andrew Vasquez, Yimi García, Trent Thornton, Ross Stripling
