Cubs agree with Japanese closer Kyuji Fujikawa

[Marlin Bystro]

*drool* An above-average bullpen would be like an 8-win improvement over last year's.

Feel free to let Kaplan know how doable that is regardless of the inherited catastrophe.

[KyleJRM]

Kaplan doesn't listen to me on Twitter because I may have called him a race-baiting idiot or something along those lines.

[TooL D/R/T]

Feel free to let Kaplan know how doable that is regardless of the inherited catastrophe.

What did you hear exactly on Grilli? Any more details you could give...

[huff]

Kaplan doesn't listen to me on Twitter because I may have called him a race-baiting idiot or something along those lines.

[sager729]

Don't really like this deal for a club that won't need a closer. $4 million is a lot of money for a 32 year old guy who you are not sure how he is going to react to major league hitters. Reminds me of Shingo Takatsu.

[sager729]

Shingo was good for a year then was figured out and hit hard.

[TooL D/R/T]

Don't really like this deal for a club that won't need a closer. $4 million is a lot of money for a 32 year old guy who you are not sure how he is going to react to major league hitters. Reminds me of Shingo Takatsu.

It allows us to trade Marmol for another asset. And if he can't perform? Not really a big deal. We have the money to spend now.
Really can't see why anyone wouldn't like this deal.

EDIT: Takatsu was also a few years older when he signed.

[ABE32]

Cubs are being mum I think they don't have to announce it right away and with the draft coming up if you add him the roster now stands at 38 I believe.

[CubsRule08]

Cubs are being mum I think they don't have to announce it right away and with the draft coming up if you add him the roster now stands at 38 I believe.

???

[TooL D/R/T]

???

Rule 5.

[Crusader]

I watched several youtube videos of him. He seems like a slightly younger Shawn Camp. He was topping out at 92 mph - as a 26 yr. old... So, he's not exactly a power arm.

[gaughan333]

I watched several youtube videos of him. He seems like a slightly younger Shawn Camp. He was topping out at 92 mph - as a 26 yr. old... So, he's not exactly a power arm.

Who are you talking about? The youtube videos of Fujikawa have him at about 94

[Crusader]

Who are you talking about? The youtube videos of Fujikawa have him at about 94

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhN5b-Yqt_U

147-148 km = 91.3 - 91.9 mph. The Japanese tend to run their guns hot. I tend to favor the videos that show the lower end of the spectrum. Remember when Japanese guns had Darvish at 98? lol...

[1908_Cubs]

I like this. Pretty cheap, especially on this relievers market.

I'm into this.

[gaughan333]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhN5b-Yqt_U

147-148 km = 91.3 - 91.9 mph. The Japanese tend to run their guns hot. I tend to favor the videos that show the lower end of the spectrum. Remember when Japanese guns had Darvish at 98? lol...

This seems to be more recent and has him throwing harder. That video you posted was uploaded in 2006. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvoBiJXaYk