Yu Darvish is taking his talents to the Windy City.
The Chicago Cubs signed the free-agent starting pitcher to a six-year contract, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported Saturday, citing sources. The four-time All-Star is considered one of the premier pitchers remaining on the free agent market and his arrival will bolster Chicago’s formidable starting rotation.
BREAKING: Yu Darvish to #Cubs, six year-deal in $150M range, sources tell The Athletic. Pending physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 10, 2018
Darvish’s contract is guaranteed to pay him at least $126 million, but it can rise another $24 million if he achieves certain incentives.
Sources: Chances of Darvish getting to $150M with #Cubs quite slim; would need to win multiple Cy Young awards. His guarantee is $126M over six years, making contract the longest and richest free-agent deal of off-season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 10, 2018
The 31-year-old split time between the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers last season, going 10-12 with a 3.86 ERA last season with 209 strikeouts in 186.2 innings. The Rangers, Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers reportedly were interested in signing him, but the Cubs seem to have won the race for his services.
Darvish will join Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood in the Cubs’ rotation, and Chicago will expect to challenge for another World Series championship with their newest free agent on board.
