*Photo from the Japan Times*
The Houston Astros have acquired LHP Yusei Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for RHP Jake Bloss, OF Joey Loperfido, and INF Will Wagner, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden. Both teams have confirmed the deal.
Kikuchi was needed to help shore up the Astros rotation. Currently, starters Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr, Jose Urquidy, Luis Garcia, and Cristian Javier are on the IL, with Javier, Urquidy, and possibly McCullers out for the season. Minor league starter JP France, who has contributed in the majors, is also out for the season.
As such, the Astros gave up two of their best prospects and a 3rd having a strong season to get Kikuchi, who is eligible to hit free agency at the end of the season. His high strikeout numbers and low walk rate helped entice the Astros to make the trade.
Houston GM Dana Brown said of the addition "We see Kikuchi as a young guy who can really strike guys out. We see him as a guy who can really log some innings for us and we see him as a guy who can pitch in the postseason with the power that he brings. He throws from 93 to 98. This addition for us, we feel like this could be pretty good."
Kikuchi has had a rocky season in the Blue Jays rotation. He has a 4.75 ERA, 3.65 FIP, and 1.34 WHIP to his name, averaging 2.3 walks per 9 innings and 10.1 strikeouts per 9 over 115 2/3 innings, making 22 starts.
One piece the Blue Jays got in return was Bloss, the second ranked prospect in the Astros system according to Baseball America. He made his MLB debut this season, having allowed 9 runs on 16 hits and 3 walks in 11 2/3 innings over 3 starts. He has a 1.64 ERA and 0.79 WHIP through 66 innings in 13 starts in the minor leagues.
Like Bloss, Loperfido made his MLB debut this season with the Astros. He currently has a .236/.299/.358 slash line with an 87 OPS+, adding two home runs, 5 doubles, and 16 RBI's in 118 plate appearances in 38 games.
The last piece the Blue Jays got in return is Wagner, who has played first, second, and 3rd base. With Triple A Sugar Land this season, he has a .307/.424/.429 slash line with an .853 OPS, hitting 13 doubles and 5 home runs with 41 RBI's in 70 games.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said of the trade "I love what we got. Again, Kikuchi, it’s tough to say goodbye because he’s just a great dude, but I’m really excited with what we got back for him. Loperfido is a dude we’ve seen recently and he’s got a really, really bright future. Bloss, you can pencil him into what we’re doing going forward and we’ll take another bloodline guy in Wagner. I really like what we did and it shows we’re going to get after it next year."
Kikuchi will slot into the middle of the Astros rotation and could make his team debut soon, as his last start came July 26. Loperfido has been added to the Blue Jays major league roster, while Bloss and Wagner will both start in Triple A.
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