Dodgers could face battle with Angels for big-name starting pitcher in free agency

Yusei Kikuchi's dominance after the trade deadline this season saved the Astros from months of getting dunked on for what was initially seen as a totally unconscionable trade. To be fair, it still might be, at least a little bit — the Astros sent three ranked prospects to the Blue Jays in exchange for a single starter with a 4.75 ERA in Toronto — but Kikuchi's 60 innings over 10 starts in Houston were, for the most part, a resounding success.

By the end of the season, he'd posted a 2.75 ERA in Houston with two 10+ strikeout games as the perfect calling card to other teams as he entered free agency. Even when he struggling in Toronto, it was clear Kikuchi still had some nasty swing-and-miss stuff, but capping off the season on a high certainly helped raise his stock.

That's the issue with the Astros' end of the deal, though. He was great. He was unlocked. He likely won't be back.

The Dodgers, who are on the market for a couple of additional starters, could look at Kikuchi as a good lefty option toward the back of the rotation, especially if they don't end up landing Max Fried. As Jeff Passan wrote this week, "The Astros want him back, and other teams expected to operate in the mid-tier pitching market — the Cubs, Dodgers, Angels and, if they whiff on the bigger names, Blue Jays and Orioles — could compete for the 33-year-old's services."

Dodgers, Angels among clubs loosely connected to Yusei Kikuchi in his free agency

To give some credit to the Angels, they've been one of the most active teams in these first few weeks of the offseason, having signed Kyle Hendricks for the rotation, Kevin Newman to replace Zach Neto temporarily, and Travis d'Arnaud at catcher. Now, were they good signings? Not exactly, but at least the Angels have been putting themselves out there in a way that few other teams have so far.

Getting Kikuchi this offseason would be a lot like the Dodgers' signing of James Paxton last year — a lefty veteran who could reliably make starts at the back of the rotation. Kikuchi would certainly be more expensive than Paxton and would probably require at least one extra year on a deal -The Athletic predicts three years and $42 million, MLB Trade Rumors predicts three years and $60 million.He'd also just be better than Paxton, with better overall performance throughout his career and less of a tendency to get hurt.

If the Dodgers can't get Fried, then Kikuchi would be a fine replacement for a rotation that definitely needs a lefty mixed in.