Report: Blue Jays, Kikuchi agree to 3-year, $36M deal

The Toronto Blue Jays and left-hander Yusei Kikuchi agreed to a three-year, $36-million contract, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Kikuchi's reported deal comes after he turned down a $13-million player option to return to the Seattle Mariners in 2022.

The 30-year-old posted a 3.18 ERA over his first 15 starts last season to earn a spot on the American League All-Star team. However, he accrued a 6.22 ERA in his last 14 outings.

Kikuchi did record a career-high 9.3 K/9 in 2021 after fanning 163 batters over 157 innings.

The Blue Jays now feature a rotation that includes Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, Hyun Jin Ryu, Alek Manoah, and Kikuchi.

Toronto is still expected to pursue an infielder, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.

The New York Mets were also reportedly interested in the Japanese pitcher's services.