As the Houston Astros gear up for the offseason, it’s clear they’ve got some tough calls to make. At the forefront is the pivotal decision regarding Alex Bregman, which will have a significant impact on how much flexibility the Astros will have in their budget. Beyond him, the team faces the challenge of deciding the futures of several key players heading into free agency, including Yusei Kikuchi, a standout performer who joined the team in a midseason trade.
Kikuchi, who was nabbed from Toronto, delivered some of the best performances of his career with the Astros. In his ten starts after the trade, he stunned fans and analysts alike with a 2.70 ERA, racking up 76 strikeouts over 60 innings.
Toss in a WHIP of less than 1.0, and you’ve got a pitcher who became arguably integral to Houston’s starting rotation. Despite this inspiring stint, it seems unlikely that Kikuchi will don an Astros jersey in 2025.
Why, you might ask? The answer lies in the Astros’ constrained payroll for the upcoming seasons.
According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, the financial wiggle room just isn’t there to make Kikuchi an offer, especially since the team already boasts solid starting pitching depth. While Kikuchi’s impressive finish must have been tempting for the Astros’ management, the logical choice is to let another team make a big bid for his services.
The reality is Kikuchi’s performance, as dazzling as it was, deviates from his career norms. His 2023 season saw him post a respectable 3.86 ERA over 32 starts, yet he stumbled a bit in 2024 with a 4.75 ERA prior to his trade.
His career numbers reveal him as a middle-of-the-pack pitcher with a 4.57 ERA and a WHIP of 1.344. So while the allure of his recent hot streak is understandable, expecting him to maintain that form might not be realistic without a significant discount to his price.
In the end, it seems the Astros are making the savvy call by passing on Kikuchi, opting not to overextend for what might just be a career highlight reel. The Astros’ focus will likely turn to bolstering other areas of their roster, ensuring they remain a competitive force in the league without busting their budget on past performance flashes.
