The MLB free agency market is officially open. The Dodgers are one of several teams linked to Houston Astros southpaw starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
In addition to the Dodgers, Passan mentioned the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, and Toronto Blue Jays. However, the Astros have expressed an interest in keeping the 2021 American League All-Star.
Kikuchi made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2019. He then signed a three-year, $36 million contract with the Blue Jays as a free agent in 2022. He played two and a half seasons with Toronto before being traded to Houston at the trade deadline. He made ten starts for the Astros. He went 5-1 over 60 innings, with a 2.70 ERA, 76 strikeouts, and 14 walks.
Kikuchi would become the Dodgers’ third Japanese-born pitcher in the rotation, joining Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani. Kikuchi is from Morioka, Japan, which is about an hour away from Ohtani’s hometown, Oshu.
Roki Sasaki, the fourth Japanese-born starter, could end up in Los Angeles. Sasaki’s decision may be influenced by the Dodgers’ popularity in Japan as a result of the presence of Yamamoto and Ohtani.
Regardless of which free agents the Dodgers sign, they will have seven returning starting pitchers. Yamamoto, Ohtani, Landon Knack, Tyler Glasnow, Emmett Sheehan, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin will all be with the Dodgers next season. However, Ohtani’s return to the mound may be delayed while he recovers from surgery for a ruptured labrum.
