The Toronto Blue Jays have traded veteran left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to the Houston Astros. In exchange, the Blue Jays will receive right-hander Jake Bloss, infielder/outfielder Joey Loperfido, and infielder Will Wagner.
Kikuchi, 33, has posted a 4.75 ERA with 130 strikeouts over 115.2 innings this season for Toronto. He was in the final year of a three-year, $36 million contract signed prior to the 2022 season. Known for his strong breaking ball and a fastball that reaches up to 98 mph, Kikuchi remains one of the more formidable left-handed starters.
Earlier this season, Kikuchi expressed frustration with the team’s performance. “It’s probably a difficult time for all of us,” he noted through an interpreter, according to MLB.com. “Not just the position players, but myself included. I’m going out there with mixed feelings.” He added that the team had high expectations to reach and win the World Series.
Kikuchi’s tenure with Toronto began with challenges, including a mid-season demotion to the bullpen after 20 starts. However, he made a strong comeback in 2023, achieving career-best numbers with a 3.86 ERA, 167.2 innings pitched, and 181 strikeouts. Over his MLB career, spanning 156 games (144 starts) with the Seattle Mariners and Blue Jays, Kikuchi has a 4.72 ERA and 761 strikeouts in 749.2 innings. He was an All-Star in 2021 with the Mariners.
Bloss, the No. 2 prospect in the Astros’ system, has a 6.94 ERA in three major league starts this year but boasted a 1.64 ERA in 13 minor league starts across three levels. He was drafted in the third round of the 2023 MLB Amateur Draft.
Loperfido, 25, has played 39 games with the Astros this season, hitting .236 with two home runs and two steals. In Triple-A, he has a .272 average with 13 home runs and nine steals. Loperfido was named the Astros’ Minor League Player of the Year for 2023 and a Postseason All-Star in the Texas League.
Wagner, 26, is hitting .307/.424/.429 in 324 Triple-A plate appearances this season, with five home runs, 41 RBIs, and 51 runs scored. He is the son of former Astros closer Billy Wagner.
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