Cubs Reach Agreement with Kyuji Fujikawa

As reported by Ken Rosenthal the Cubs have reached an agreement pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa.  The 32- year- old closer has pitched the last six years for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan where he has 202 career saves with a 1.36 ERA.  The deal is for two years with a vesting option worth 9.5 million.  According to Rosenthal the deal breaks down as follows:  $1M signing bonus, $4M for both 2013 and 2014 seasons, plus $5.5M or $6M based on games finished.  If the option does not vest their is a $500K buyout.

It was speculated that Fujikawa was going to sign with the Angels, but the Cubs swooped in and grabbed him.  The Cubs will now have a decision to make, whether Carlos Marmol or Fujikawa will close.  I am sure the Cubs will still actively be trying to move Marmol, so we will just have to wait and see what happens.  Even if Marmol does not get moved I would not be surprised to see Fujikawa as the closer.

Thanks for reading,
-Mark