Cubs agree with Japanese closer Kyuji Fujikawa

[RedHeadsRule]

I don't see anything to complain about with that deal.

And I'm going to assume Marmol gets traded and this is one of those duel fronts situations.

[JBears79]

Great deal. The offseason is starting now. Dump Marmol, sign Mike Adams, hope Zych competes for a spot in the bullpen and you have a very nice looking back of the bullpen.

Zych
Adams
Fujikawa

[Mell413]

Can't complain about this deal money wise. I don't know a ton about him. I hope we have an actual bullpen this year and just throw crap against the wall. Hopefully we add at least one more arm to the pen.

[JP:CubsFan910]

Wow, I had just read on Twitter like an hour ago "he's going to the Angels FOR SURE!"
Well, it basically said that...

[Jilly Bohnson]

Don't really like giving a multiyear deal to a Japanese reliever, but at 4 million per year it's hard to not like this

[CubsRule08]

I like this deal. Glad we got him and hopefully this leads to Marmol's exit

[Yagyu+]

Don't really like giving a multiyear deal to a Japanese reliever, but at 4 million per year it's hard to not like this

The vesting option is probably there as an injury safeguard, and the fallback is a club option. If he can pitch -- closer or otherwise -- then I've got no complaints.

[mlciganek]

The deal is $4mil per season with $1mil signing bonus and then 3rd yr with $500K buyout or $5.5-$6mil

[DamnGoat]

What's the scouting report on this guy?

I know nothing about it, but if he has a decent arm then this feels like good value for a closer.

[NORTH10]

Yeah, most said he was destined to be an Angel. For 4-5 mill, a minimal risk. More than likely can play up to, if not over, the contract.

[Yagyu+]

Bruce Miles playing it safe:

#Cubs still not confirming Fujikawa deal. Perhaps some resolution in a bit.

What's the scouting report on this guy?

I know nothing about it, but if he has a decent arm then this feels like good value for a closer.

Keith Law:

My scouting report on Cubs signee Fujikawa is here for Insiders: klaw.me/UyUe6o - he's #30 on my FA rankings.

[Yagyu+]

David Kaplan:

Signing of Fujikawa not done to flip him. They like skill set + are trying to upgrade pitching staff. More moves coming.

[HomerJSandberg]

Just found some YouTube videos of him. He looks like he's got some pretty good stuff. I like this deal.

[DamnGoat]

Bruce Miles playing it safe:

Keith Law:

I don't have insider.

[hoosiercubsfan]

The closer for the Hanshin Tigers is a true free agent now at age 32 after a successful 12-year NPB career that saw him strike out one out of every three batters he faced.

He's not as dominant as he used to be and pitches with a solid-average fastball and a good splitter that is occasionally plus, showing more of a steady drop than the abrupt tumble of a really good splitter. He also missed some time in 2012 with an adductor strain, and hasn't thrown 70 innings in a season since 2007.

He has potential as a setup man but I don't think he's an elite reliever unless that splitter gets sharper or more consistent.

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