LA Angels: 3 players Perry Minasian should absolutely be afraid to acquire

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Sep 23, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (18) delivers a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 player Perry Minasian should absolutely be afraid to acquire for the LA Angels: Yusei Kikuchi

Yusei Kikuchi had a great first half, but Perry Minasian better be scared away from that second half.

From July 7th until the end of the season, Kikuchi posted a 6.22 ERA and walked 4.41 batters per nine innings over 14 starts. It’s not worth going after him.

His ERA at the end of the year dipped to 4.41, and hitters hit .243 against him. .243 is already an underwhelming number to hold batters to, but even worse, they hit .304 against him in those last 14 starts.

He’s not a bad pitcher, and was an All-Star. That being said, he didn’t play like an All-Star after the game took place, and we’d be signing him while he’s cold.

That’s the type of move Minasian needs to stay away from. He and Arte Moreno have so much potential money at their disposal, and need to fire away on more proven, sure-fire guys.

Kikuchi is too risky with his second-half regression in 2021.

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