Will the Astros keep Yusei Kikuchi?
The Houston Astros missed reaching the ALCS this season for the first time since 2016. With a blend of young talent and experienced veterans, they’re well-positioned to chase a third championship in 2025. Their performance saw a significant boost after acquiring Yusei Kikuchi at the trade deadline, but now that Kikuchi is a free agent, the Astros could face challenges in re-signing the left-handed pitcher, as noted by Jon Heyman of the *New York Post*.
“Yusei Kikuchi reportedly has significant interest from multiple teams, which could make it difficult for the Astros to retain him,” Heyman noted in his coverage of updates from the General Manager Meetings.
Kikuchi recently completed his sixth MLB season, having previously played for Seattle and Toronto before his stint with the Astros. While Houston’s pitching roster is strong, Kikuchi’s presence proved essential toward the end of the season. He made 10 starts following the trade, posting a solid 2.70 ERA over 60 innings and finishing with a 5-1 record.
Houston’s front office may feel a strong urge to re-sign Kikuchi. The trade package sent to Toronto surprised many in the prospect community, with Ben Clemens of *FanGraphs* describing the return of Jake Bloss, Joey Loperfido, and Will Wagner as a “bountiful crop of young players.” Given the significant investment, the Astros might be willing to pay a premium to retain Kikuchi.
Yusei Kikuchi, an experienced left-handed starter, is the type of pitcher every team in MLB would welcome. This season, he proved he could be a reliable mid-rotation arm capable of dominant performances. While joining a successful team in the middle of a strong season can be an advantage, Kikuchi’s excellent performance speaks for itself.
In another section of Jon Heyman’s report, he pointed to the Cubs as a team with a clear focus on pitching. They got an impressive season from Shota Imanaga, solidifying their ace, which means they can build depth around him without necessarily targeting high-cost arms like Max Fried or Corbin Burnes. Kikuchi could be a more strategic addition, allowing the Cubs to invest in an impactful hitter, possibly Pete Alonso, while still strengthening their rotation.
The Astros were eliminated by the Tigers in the AL Wild Card Series, largely due to facing one of the best left-handers in the game, Tarik Skubal, who shut them down in Game 1. Adding a pitcher like Kikuchi to Detroit’s rotation could be a game-changer, potentially giving them a formidable one-two lefty punch. Such a deal would resemble the Tigers’ signing of Jack Flaherty last winter, providing the Tigers with another reliable starter to strengthen their rotation.
