Chicago Cubs introduce Kyuji Fujikawa – MLB News
Kyuji Fujikawa seems to have awaited this moment with bated breath. The moment has arrived.
The Japanese pitcher officially joined the Chicago Cubs on Friday, Dec 07, after he signed a two-year $9.5 million contract. With an added bonus of $1 million and $4 million in salaries and 2013 and `14, the pitcher comes here with confidence tinged by some
sense of responsibility.
"From that day on, in my head it was, 'Cubs, Cubs, Cubs,' and that's how everything came through," Fujikawa said.
Reaping the fame and glory, through his assiduous work and dedication, from the harvests planted by his Japanese team Hanshin Tigers, Fujikawa had a total of 220 saves in the 12 seasons that he played.
That splendid performance paid off; garnering the Cubs’ attention. The Japanese closer is excited. "I was No. 22 with the Hanshin Tigers," Fujikawa said, "but to have a better career than No. 22, I went younger with No. 11. I asked for 11, and it was luckily
open."
With no substantial transaction apparently in sight when the Winter Meetings began, the Cubs had their own calculations. The plans were not enunciated as everything had to carry an element of surprise. And then this contract materialized.
The pitching has been upgraded now – as it can be seen. From the rotation that saw inclusion of the likes of Scott Feldman and Scott Baker with three other starters already being there with the Cubs, Fujikawa is undeniably a good addition to the bullpen.
The Cubs, having previously focusing on the rotation, were looking for a strong and experienced arm for the bullpen as well. It comes in the form of Kyuji Fujikawa. The pitcher has the ability to pitch both as a reliever and the closer – depending certainly
on the focus where they will use him.
"Our goal is to have the best bullpen possible," Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said. "Kyuji certainly adds to that. He's had a great career. If you look at his career, he was a dominant setup guy first and a dominant closer. We know he can do both roles.”
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