The Toronto Blue Jays are in Los Angeles to face the Angels, and tonight, they face a familiar name on the mound in Yusei Kikuchi. The Japanese southpaw spent 2.5 years with the Jays after signing a three-year, $36 million pact before the 2022 season.

Kikuchi struggled in his debut season with Toronto, posting a 5.19 ERA through 32 outings, with the left-hander being moved to the bullpen late in the season. He bounced back in 2023 to the tune of a 4.12 FIP through 167 2/3 innings and was solid to begin the 2024 season. After struggling to stay in contention, the Blue Jays decided to trade him to Houston at the deadline, where he dominated for the Astros down the stretch. A free agent this past winter, Kikuchi gained some traction and eventually settled on a three-year deal with the Angels worth $63 million, a sizeable upgrade over the deal he originally signed with Toronto.

Catching up with Hazel Mae and Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith this week, Kikuchi confirmed to the pair that the Jays front office did not present an offer to the left-hander this winter. The Jays were in the market for a rotation arm this past winter, with the club in contention for superstar Corbin Burnes before he landed in Arizona, and the club eventually inked veteran Max Scherzer to a one-year pact worth $15.5 million. A thumb injury has kept Scherzer on the sidelines for most of the season, making just one start and being pulled after three innings due to the injury.

Kikuchi became a popular figure in Toronto after his dismal 2022 season and was loved by his teammates in the clubhouse, with the likes of Kevin Gausman and Daulton Varsho seeking him out before yesterday’s contest. The former Mariners hurler noted that he loved the city during his time with the Jays and even spent parts of the offseason North of the border, a rare occurrence for those who choose sunnier destinations after the season is over.

For the Blue Jays, it makes sense why the front office wasn’t keen on bringing Kikuchi back.

The club was in the Juan Soto sweepstakes this past winter as well as chasing Burnes, with both players receiving confirmed offers from the Blue Jays before signing elsewhere. The Jays were also a reported finalist for Japanese starter Roki Sasaki, who ended up signing with the Dodgers in January after being posted. Kikuchi’s deal came pretty early into the offseason, with his pact coming on November 27th, while the likes of Soto, Burnes, and Sasaki all signed weeks and even a month later. While Kikuchi is a dependable rotation arm, the Jays were chasing bigger fish at the time and eventually pivoted to Scherzer when everyone else fell through.

As well, the Jays also had Bowden Francis entering camp with a rotation spot pretty much locked in, and Yariel Rodriguez’s role not being fully specified during the winter months (another potential rotation arm). Spending Chris Bassitt contract type money for Kikuchi wasn’t likely in the cards for the Jays that early in the winter, and fortunately for him, he cashed in with the Angels.

Through seven starts with his new club, Kikuchi owns a 4.21 ERA and a 5.06 FIP through 36 1/3 innings and has 19 walks compared to 33 strikeouts. The Jays will need to be patient at the plate against their former teammate and will be looking to put up a win against the Angels after blowing a late lead in last night’s contest.

Celebrate Vladdy’s big news in style with the exclusive new BlueJaysNation Vladdy merch — available only at NationGear.ca! Rep a future Hall of Famer and wear your team’s pride loud. Limited drop. Don’t miss out.