Kyuji Fujikawa Signs with the Cubs

[dabynsky]

So maybe we can look at how Kaz Sasaki and Okajima did to sort of project what Fuji can do.

I am sure there has to have been an article about Japanese relievers coming over since there have been enough now to get a decent idea about the transition.

 

[Rice Cube]

To Google!

 

[waldo7239117]

Maybe not the most reliable, but still...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyuji_Fujikawa

 

[X]

Wow. Thought he'd get more than that.

 

[Rice Cube]

Here's something from FanGraphs but it's not exactly what I was looking for :lol:

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/torii-hunter-all-japanese-pitchers-have-same-style/

 

[Rice Cube]

Here's Kaz's stats:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sasakka01.shtml

Fuji was basically paid about that amount, though the money is less valuable today than back then.

 

[Rice Cube]

Notes:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/cubs-notes-fujikawa-angels-marmol.html

The Cubs' signing of Fujikawa could lead to the Cubs and Angels revisiting a possible Carlos Marmol trade, tweets Jim Bowden of ESPN.com. The two sides appeared to have struck a deal with Dan Haren heading to Chicago, but the Cubs ultimately backed out of the trade. Haren, of course, is now a free agent after the Angels declined his option for 2013.
Fujikawa can also make $2MM per year in performance bonuses on top of the $9.5MM he'll earn in the two year deal, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. The contract also includes a vesting option for year three that turns to a team option if requirements are not met.
The Cubs did not sign Fujikawa in order to flip him for something else, tweets David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com. The club likes his skill set and will also work to upgrade the pitching staff with more moves on the horizon.
The Cubs will also head to Nashville in search of a rightfielder and a third baseman, though the latter will be tough to fill, Kaplan tweets.

The last item suggests that it's a 50-50 chance of Ian Stewart coming back.

 

[DewsSox79]

lets see how he does over here before we start stroking **** yeah?

 

[nwfisch]

Championship.

 

[schizm032003]

So lets say the Angels would be interested in trying to trade for Marmol again, what do they have that we'd want? I also read about Soriano maybe to the phillies, so what does anyone think we coould get there? After those moves I'd go to detroit and KC offer up Garza for either Castellanos from detroit or Moustakas from KC, see which one blinks first. I prefer Moustakas cause he has ML experience, and I expect he'll have a breakout year this season, but I'd take Castellanos if I could. I'm sure there'd be other players involved. I know KC is trying to move Hochevar, maybe we can agree to take him in the deal for Moustakas, for Garza and another piece. They'd get a front line starter and out from under Hochevar. We could get our 3B, and a guy for the pen, that could start if needed, possibly the change of scenery to the NL would help Hochevar realize some of his potential.

 

[X]

lets see how he does over here before we start stroking **** yeah?

lol, who's stroking ****? Most of us have just said we figured he'd go for higher, and on the surface it's a good deal.


don't hate.

 

[Mr. Cub]

He better bring us a championship, or waste of money.

 

[Rice Cube]

So lets say the Angels would be interested in trying to trade for Marmol again, what do they have that we'd want? I also read about Soriano maybe to the phillies, so what does anyone think we coould get there? After those moves I'd go to detroit and KC offer up Garza for either Castellanos from detroit or Moustakas from KC, see which one blinks first. I prefer Moustakas cause he has ML experience, and I expect he'll have a breakout year this season, but I'd take Castellanos if I could. I'm sure there'd be other players involved. I know KC is trying to move Hochevar, maybe we can agree to take him in the deal for Moustakas, for Garza and another piece. They'd get a front line starter and out from under Hochevar. We could get our 3B, and a guy for the pen, that could start if needed, possibly the change of scenery to the NL would help Hochevar realize some of his potential.

I think.you are overestimating the value of the Cubs' few assets here.

 

[dabynsky]

lol, who's stroking ****? Most of us have just said we figured he'd go for higher, and on the surface it's a good deal.


don't hate.

Exactly we are excited about adding an arm who by all reports has good stuff and has a track record of success in a league above AAA. I think most people have implicitly acknowledged that we don't know what his production is going to be in the big leagues until he throws a pitch here.

 

[schizm032003]

Not over estimating the assets, just estimating how bad the royals not only want to improve their starting pitching and how badly they want to be rid of Hochevar. They clearly don't want the guy, and they clearly want to improve their starting pitching, hell they re-signed Guthrie, and traded for Santana, Garza is much better than either, so taking that fact into account, and the fact they're looking to move Hochevar, I think those combined could net us a guy like Moustakas from them. We could throw in Jackson, and Vitters, for Moustakas, and Hochevar. They get a good pitcher, Garza, a young CF with power/speed, Jackson, and a guy that while he struggled at the plate in the ML's last year has shown a consistant history of adjusting the following year and being productive. We get a 3B for the next decade with power/defense, and a starter that has disappointed thusfar, but could improve moving to the NL. Plus this would also allow the royals to keep their top hitting prospect in their system, Myers, while still improving the team overall. The Tigers I don't expect to bite at a Castellanos-Garza deal, we'd have to add some names back & forth, however they was close to winning it last year, they may feel like the price is worth strengthening them for another good shot at winning it all.

Another thing in going to both teams and making this offer is that they both play in the same division, therefor either team may want to grab Garza & a couple others to keep the other from doing it first. The Tigers are close to being a championship team, however they obviously can see that the Royals are loaded with young talented hitters, the main thing holding them back from consistantly contending is starting pitching which they've made a priority this offseason. Also the tigers are a very veteran laden team, their window is closing soon, the Royals on the other hand is a team laden with good young hitting, a good young bullpen, starting pitching improvements could put them at the top of the division and contention for quite a few years to come. I'm playing on each teams needs, desire to improve, desire to win, and their rivalry.

 

[nwfisch]

Exactly we are excited about adding an arm who by all reports has good stuff and has a track record of success in a league above AAA. I think most people have implicitly acknowledged that we don't know what his production is going to be in the big leagues until he throws a pitch here.

Go cheer for your kitties

 

[Jntg4]

Guys, we all know any time we get even slightly excited or are even in approval of anything Dewey is going to say something along those lines.

I can just picture this now: Cubs win World Series. Dewey next day: Ya, ok, be excited and cheer, you are fucking morons for supporting a team that took over a century to win this one, you should all be ashamed.

 

[Rice Cube]

Not over estimating the assets, just estimating how bad the royals not only want to improve their starting pitching and how badly they want to be rid of Hochevar. They clearly don't want the guy, and they clearly want to improve their starting pitching, hell they re-signed Guthrie, and traded for Santana, Garza is much better than either, so taking that fact into account, and the fact they're looking to move Hochevar, I think those combined could net us a guy like Moustakas from them. We could throw in Jackson, and Vitters, for Moustakas, and Hochevar. They get a good pitcher, Garza, a young CF with power/speed, Jackson, and a guy that while he struggled at the plate in the ML's last year has shown a consistant history of adjusting the following year and being productive. We get a 3B for the next decade with power/defense, and a starter that has disappointed thusfar, but could improve moving to the NL. Plus this would also allow the royals to keep their top hitting prospect in their system, Myers, while still improving the team overall. The Tigers I don't expect to bite at a Castellanos-Garza deal, we'd have to add some names back & forth, however they was close to winning it last year, they may feel like the price is worth strengthening them for another good shot at winning it all.

Another thing in going to both teams and making this offer is that they both play in the same division, therefor either team may want to grab Garza & a couple others to keep the other from doing it first. The Tigers are close to being a championship team, however they obviously can see that the Royals are loaded with young talented hitters, the main thing holding them back from consistantly contending is starting pitching which they've made a priority this offseason. Also the tigers are a very veteran laden team, their window is closing soon, the Royals on the other hand is a team laden with good young hitting, a good young bullpen, starting pitching improvements could put them at the top of the division and contention for quite a few years to come. I'm playing on each teams needs, desire to improve, desire to win, and their rivalry.

I think teams will want Garza, I'm just not sure that anything short of last-ditch chick-flick desperation will net what you think it will in return. GMs all know that Garza is a year from free agency, is coming off an injury, isn't all that good, and if going to the AL, is moving to the superior league. I like that way you think, but I simply don't believe it's realistic. But after what happened with the Dodgers and Marlins in the past few months, I wouldn't be surprised if a similar trade happened

 

[Rice Cube]

Muskat:

Early arriving scouts at the Gaylord Opryland resort, gathering for baseball’s Winter Meetings, have the same questions as Cubs fans. Has the team signed free agent pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa or not?
The Cubs continue to keep quiet about Fujikawa, who they have reportedly inked to a two-year, $9.5 million contract. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and MLB Network reported the deal on Saturday, saying Fujikawa would receive a signing bonus of $1 million and $4 million in salaries in 2013 and ’14. There also was a vesting option valued at $5.5 million or $6 million, to be determined by games finished. Cubs officials would neither confirm nor comment on the report.

Japanese writers in Nashville for the Winter Meetings also were curious and had not heard anything further about Fujikawa, but did speculate the right-hander may be headed back to the U.S. We’ll keep you posted.

 

[waldo7239117]

The Cubs have... so don't read into it. I doubt the Phillies will make a trade for Soriano, he's destined for the AL. There number 1 prioirty is Pagan.

It was Japan and I don't know how he'll do. He could be a great R$P or a dud, only time will tell. I just like the signing because 10 teams were said to be after him (may have all made offer) and the contract is not bad aty all. It does not hurt the Cubs long-term and they won't regret the contract either way (bad or good).