Chicago Cubs Sign Coveted Japanese Pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa to Two-Year Contract

The Cubs have reportedly made their biggest splash of the offseason, picking up Kyuji Fujikawa. Though no statement from the team has been released, Ken Rosenthal, among other reports the deal is done.

Fujikawa has spent his 12-year career with the Hanshin Tigers, racking up 220 saves and a miniscule 1.77 ERA. The new closer will bring stability to a position which has plagued the team over the past few seasons, as Carlos Marmol has struggled to get the job done. 

The deal is worth $9.5 million over two seasons. 

One downside of Fujikawa is that he has not worked over 70 innings since the 2007 season and he has a history of injuries. If those downsides come back to bite the new Chicago pitcher, the team has a $500,000 buyout clause.

The news is a bit of a surprise, as all signs pointed towards Fujikawa signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was welcome news for Cubs fans though, especially once you take a look at his numbers from last year. In dominant form, Fujikawa saved 24 games with a 1.32 ERA, striking out 52 batters in only 47.2 innings pitcher.

 Dan Benton

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