Ron Washington, manager of the Los Angeles Angels, has announced that Yusei Kikuchi, the newly signed left-handed pitcher, will be the team's opening-day starter against the Chicago White Sox. This decision reflects Washington's confidence in Kikuchi's capabilities, which come after securing a lucrative three-year, $63 million contract. Kikuchi, who has had a mixed career with a 4.57 ERA over six seasons, showed remarkable improvement after being traded to the Houston Astros last season.

Kikuchi expressed gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging the significance of being named the opening-day starter. He emphasized the importance of staying healthy throughout the season and focusing on consistent performance, aiming to contribute positively to the team's success.

The Houston Astros are bracing for a significant overhaul of their pitching staff ahead of the 2025 season. Key losses include Justin Verlander and Yusei Kikuchi, who have signed with the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels, respectively. Jose Urquidy was non-tendered, leaving the Astros with a roster that is heavily reliant on recovering players like Lance McCullers Jr., Cristian Javier, and Luis Garcia.

One player to watch is Hunter Brown, who had a stellar debut in 2022 but struggled in 2023. However, in 2024, he rebounded to become the team's No. 2 starter behind Framber Valdez, showcasing improved metrics, including a 2.6 WAR and exceptional hard contact avoidance. With Valdez also projected to be a free agent, the Astros could look to secure Brown with a pre-arbitration extension to maintain their competitive edge.

The Los Angeles Angels are facing significant financial challenges, which have led owner Arte Moreno to limit spending in free agency. Despite a projected payroll increase, Moreno emphasized a need to address multiple areas without pushing the budget to $200 million. Instead, he opted for several veterans on cheaper contracts, with Yusei Kikuchi being the exception, as he signed for three years at $63 million.

Moreno pointed out the franchise's revenue-sharing contributions and declining income from ticket sales and sponsorships as contributing factors to their financial situation. Though the Angels haven’t made the postseason in a decade, Moreno remains optimistic about the team's prospects in 2025, citing the potential of their young players and the hope that a collective effort can end their playoff drought.

The Houston Astros, a franchise now buoyed by two World Series championships, are facing a significant roster upheaval. Following the offseason, key players like Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker have departed for the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, respectively, creating a noticeable gap in the lineup. Bregman's absence will be particularly felt, as he and Tucker contributed an impressive 8.8 bWAR in 2024. The loss of Justin Verlander to the San Francisco Giants marks yet another blow, although his declining performance over the past season indicates that he was more of a veteran presence than a frontline ace.

Fortunately, the Astros have made strategic moves to counter these losses. They've acquired third baseman Isaac Paredes, who boasts a combined 6.9 bWAR over the last two seasons, and first baseman Christian Walker, who hit 95 home runs in the last three years. The team is hopeful that Chas McCormick can seamlessly transition from right field into Tucker's former role. The Astros continue to exhibit resilience, now leaning on a younger core that could redefine their competitive edge.

Drafting strategies for fantasy baseball rely heavily on projections, particularly when managing deeper rosters. It's crucial to recognize the upward pressure on pitcher ADP in various league formats, which often contradicts projection metrics. Notably, positive surprises among pitchers mainly involve relievers or undervalued starters. Players like Max Fried of the New York Yankees, with a strong ERA and WHIP, suggest potential value, especially given the favorable conditions for right-handed hitters in Yankee Stadium. Similarly, Logan Webb from the San Francisco Giants, despite a corrected WHIP, remains a dependable option for volume and ground balls. Zach Eflin of the Baltimore Orioles also emerges as a reliable pick despite some fluctuation in strikeout rates. Conversely, pitchers like Hunter Greene of the Cincinnati Reds raise concerns due to injury history and underwhelming metrics compared to expectations.