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.
Darvish’s contract is guaranteed to pay him at least $126 million, but it can rise another $24 million if he achieves certain incentives.
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.
