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. 

Angels stepping up pursuit for Japanese releiver Kyuju Fujikawa

The Los Angeles Angels are stepping up their pursuit of Kyuju Fujikawa. A handful of teams are known to have spoken or plan to speak the to 32-year-old. The Japanese born reliever is a free agent and thus is not subject to the posting system.

It was reported last week that the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks had met with Fujikawa.

Fujikawa will meet with the Los Angeles Dodgers soon while the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers have shown interested as well though no official meeting has been announced.