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Even Astros fans think they got fleeced in the Kikuchi trade
Toronto Blue Jays Yusei Kikuchi John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Even Astros fans think they got fleeced in the Kikuchi trade

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation  |  By Ian Hunter  |  Last updated Jul 30, 2024 2:00 PM ET

There may not be a member of the Toronto Blue Jays who changed their perception in the market faster than Yusei Kikuchi.

Looking back on his short tenure with the Blue Jays, this is someone who was unpitchable at the end of his first year of his contract, to the coaching staff falling over themselves to wedge Kikuchi into a playoff game (to their detriment), to finishing as the Blue Jays starter with the third highest strikeout percentage in franchise history.

Yes, Yusei Kikuchi was all three guys. He had a monster start to the season and tailed off the last few months. But the Blue Jays still got a decent haul for somebody who’s a free agent at the end of the year. In fact, most experts believe Toronto got way more than they should have for Kikuchi.

There’s no such thing as take-backsies after the MLB trade deadline, but the Houston Astros were starving for starting pitching and were willing to give up three of their Top 30 prospects for the left-hander.

While most Blue Jays fans are pleased with the return of Jake Bloss, Joey Loperfido and Will Wagner, on the opposite side of the deal, many Astros fans are livid about paying such a high price in prospect capital for a rental starting pitcher.

Comment
byu/Christop_McC from discussion
inAstros

I mean, this is the same organization that traded Teoscar Hernandez for two months of Francisco Liriano.

The Astros sorely need the help in their rotation, so it shouldn’t take long for him to become their number one or number two starter.

Comment
byu/Christop_McC from discussion
inAstros

Thanks and also sorry, I guess?

Remember what I said, Houston, no take-backsies!

Comment
byu/Lukealloneword from discussion
inAstros

In a paper, this trade would’ve made a lot more sense for the Astros if Kikuchi continued to pitch the way he did in April and mid-May. That must be the cost of doing business for a starting pitcher at this year’s trade deadline.

By all means, this trade looks a lot better for the Astros if Kikuchi pitches well for them down the stretch and throws important innings in the playoffs. Otherwise, it was definitely an overpay.

Comment
byu/ThQp from discussion
inbaseball

Karma works in mysterious ways.

See previous comment regarding Teoscar Hernandez.

Comment
byu/ThQp from discussion
inbaseball

Wait, I thought Toronto was the only market where fans had disdain for the front office?

Maybe I live too much inside the Blue Jays bubble, but it’s kind of refreshing to see other fan bases scrutinizing their own general manager’s transactions.

Comment
byu/ThQp from discussion
inbaseball

Typically, most fans would be happy about getting Major League reinforcements for their team, but some think otherwise.

As a long-suffering Toronto sports person, a certain subset of Blue Jays fans can sympathize with how Astros faithful feel after this trade.

It’s been a wild ride of a season for the Astros to date, but I can’t imagine feeling worse about this trade than back in mid-June when they were 10 games out of the AL West division lead.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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