Chicago Cubs envisaging a solid defence with the inclusion of Kyuji Fujikawa – MLB News
The Chicago Cubs make no secrets of their plans to reverse the tide after the disconcerting descent that they have witnessed in the recent years. Revamping and overhauling the strategy, theirs is an altogether different focus for the upcoming season.
After giving a finishing touch to the rotation, by bringing in the required number of pitchers, it is bullpen that they are addressing now. The finalization of two-year $9.5 million contract with Japanese closer Kyuji Fujikawa – who was introduced on Friday
at Wrigley Field, is part of it.
Fujikawa, who can have the role of both setup man and closer, is all set to start pitching in the MLB 2013. But it is the Carlos Marmol who will be his competitor for the role of closer. If Fujikawa comes with 220 saves in 12 seasons with Hanshin Tigers,
Marmol had 20 saves in 23 opportunities he had in the past season.
For the Cubs, though, there is clarity. Take, for example, the assertion of the president of baseball operations, Theo Epstein, which makes it abundantly clear that the Cubs are not reconsidering this role. They will have Marmol as the closer.
"Carlos is closing," Epstein said. "He did a good job. He earned his position as a closer for 2013 by virtue of a strong second half last year.”
Clarity, at the same time, is what the Cubs had in mind this offseason: Bringing in pitchers that provide sustainable support and lend credible strength to the bullpen. Fujikawa will manifest that practical effect with his presence given the experience that
he has.
So the Cubs want to reverse the tide now. If the bullpen seemed vulnerable and weak, recent moves will go a long way to alter that; transforming the Cubs into a defensive side that is capable of handling the rival offence(s) in the National League.
"We were short last year in the bullpen. Rather than add a high quantity of 'buy-low' guys and hope some quality emerges, we were in a position to have one or two quality bullpen pieces, because we have some interesting arms to fill out the rest of the 'pen,”
said Theo Epstein.
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