Japanese pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa to be introduced on Friday – MLB News
Chicago Cubs are to proclaim, not sans grandeur, the arrival of Japanese pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa. On Friday at 11:30 am, the Japanese pitcher will be introduced at a news conference at Wrigley Field.
Fujikawa will have a role in the bullpen; as some suggest he will be the club’s closer. He has agreed to a two-year $9.5 million contract with the Cubs, including vesting options that value $5.5 million or $6 million which will be determined by games finished.
While confidence was expressed in his ability to add to the Cubs’ strength, Japanese pitcher Kyuji Fujikawa is said to be instrumental in any role – from going for a setup pitcher to closer. The pitcher also has four quality pitches, having the ability to add and subtract with his fastballs – according to manager Dale Sveum.
Fujikawa has posted 1.77 ERA in 12 seasons that he has played so far with the Hanshin Tigers, having 220 saves to his credit.
Fujikawa comes at a time when there was some debate on the role of Carlos Marmol. Having converted 20 of 23 opportunities the past season, questions being asked is whether or not he will remain the closer.
For the Cubs, it is as clear as it gets when it comes to answering that question: Yes. Carlos Marmol will remain the Cubs' closer as general manager Jed Hoyer said while commenting on the issue.
With Fujikawa there, the Cubs on Thursday also claimed Hector Rondon from the Cleveland Indians – having remained their Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2009. Indians' vice president of player development Ross Atkins was all praise for the pitcher as he has made improvement after the UCL reconstruction surgery that he underwent back in August 2010.
"His strikeouts were a little bit down probably for Hector, but he was very aggressive and obviously very effective while he was there, and he's been healthy and durable," Atkins said. "With Hector, you're looking at a guy who was in the Futures Game and was obviously a top-tier prospect. He had a real tough break with his surgery and the procedures. The reports were good. I think most importantly for Hector, he was healthy."
It will be interesting to see how well Fujikawa performs for the Cubs in the upcoming 2013 regular season.
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