Angels have one player on borrowed time with MLB lockout looming

The Los Angeles Angels have a lot of work to do and not a lot of time. The club still needs to find a general manager and a manager, and until the sale to Stan Kroenke is finalized in the first quarter of 2027, we probably won't see the big splashes that the future promises until next winter. Standing between where the Angels sit now and then is the looming December 1 lockout.

This potential deadline could spur some action, even in Los Angeles's unsettled state. While we're still not sure whether the Halos believe they can build around what they have, or if they decide they want to sell off Reid Detmers and Zach Neto to beef up the future pipeline, there's one player who really doesn't fit either vision.

Yusei Kikuchi is entering the final year of his contract, and it's clear that whichever path the franchise takes, he won't be part of that future vision. Right now, it's also hard to make a case that the southpaw can pitch at a level worthy of his $21 million salary.

Injuries held Kikuchi back and limited him to just 14 starts with a 4.92 ERA. His 3.93 FIP indicates that he was better than his results, but it's still a lot of money for a back-of-the-rotation starter who will be entering his age-36 season in 2027. Los Angeles has young arms like Ryan Johnson and George Klassen, who could be part of the future. With Grayson Rodriguez possessing three more years of team control, it might also be worth seeing if they can fix him.

This isn't to say that Kikuchi has no value to anyone. In fact, there's one team in particular that could be desperate enough to give up something good for him.

The Angels should ship off Yusei Kikuchi to the Houston Astros before the December 1 lockout

Intra-division trades, especially ones of consequence, are rare, but this one makes too much sense to pass up. The Houston Astros will once again have a logjam in their infield with Carlos Correa returning from his season-ending ankle injury, and they also have a desperate need for starting pitching.

While the regime is different now in Houston, Kikuchi pitched the best ball of his career in an Astros uniform. That'll matter to owner Jim Crane, who is always lurking in the background of the team's baseball operations.

Additionally, Crane made a big point of getting back into the Japanese market when the Astros signed Tatsuya Imai back in January. Imai had a hard time adjusting to life in the bigs and in the U.S. His 2026 campaign was a disaster as a result.

Houston is stuck paying Imai $18 million in 2027 after he posted a 4.93 ERA and was eventually banished from the starting rotation. Bringing in a countryman who could mentor him could help salvage that investment, while also solving a real need on their roster.

The Angels would love to land Isaac Paredes, who would solve third base for 2027. Paredes will make $13.35 million after Houston picked up his option to cover his final year of team control. Los Angeles could then work to extend the 27-year-old once the lockout ends and Kroenke is in place.

The Astros might balk at that swap without the Angels adding more to sweeten the pot. They'd be taking on money, and Paredes is the more valuable of the two rentals. If they can't find a deal for Paredes that works, the Halos could pursue a one-for-one swap with Christian Walker.

Walker will be 36 next season, and while he's had his share of struggles, he would give the Angels a right-handed power bat to plug in at first base. With a $20 million salary in 2027, Walker-for-Kikuchi would be an even exchange.

Acquiring Walker would end the awkwardness that is Nolan Schanuel's punchless approach at first base and allow Los Angeles to use the youngster in a separate trade to solve another roster need.

One way or another, Kikuchi shouldn't be long for the roster, and a swap with the Astros would give the Angels something they need in exchange for something they don't.

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