3 Yusei Kikuchi replacements not named Justin Verlander Astros can’t afford to miss
Yusei Kikuchi is on his way to LA. Here’s how the Astros can replace him.
The Houston Astros were dealt a spot of bad news on Monday when it was announced that Yusei Kikuchi has signed a three-year, $63 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
Kikuchi arrived in Houston at the trade deadline last season and flourished. In 10 regular season starts for the Astros, Kikuchi notched a 2.70 ERA and 0.93 WHIP, striking out 76 in 60.0 innings pitched. It was arguably the best stretch of his career, and it gave Astros fans hope for a potential long-term partnership.
In the end, however, Kikuchi leaves without making a single postseason start for the Astros. Considering the bounty of prospects given up to acquire Kikuchi originally, suddenly the Astros feel like the losers of that whole ordeal. The Blue Jays dealt Kikuchi knowing he wouldn’t be back and Kikuchi used the Astros to boost his value before bolting.
Houston appears destined to trim costs this winter after their first early postseason exit in ages. That said, the Astros are too talented to punt on a season and there are several appealing options circulating the free agent marketplace. Justin Verlander appears cooked, so the Astros’ rotation is more vulnerable than ever.
Here are a few viable Kikuchi replaces that Dana Brown and company should think long and hard about.
