The Chicago Cubs have found their new closer.
The Cubs signed Japanese free agent Kyuji Fujikawa to a two-year, $9.5 million deal, Ken Rosenthal reported on Saturday.
Fujikawa deal with #Cubs is two years with a vesting option for a third. He likely will be the team’s closer.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 1, 2012
Fujikawa deal with #Cubs: $1M signing bonus, $4M salaries in 2013 and ’14, plus vesting option at $5.5M or $6M based on games finished.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 1, 2012
Fujikawa is expected to take over for Carlos Marmol, who the team almost traded to the Los Angeles Angels for Dan Haren earlier this off-season.
The 32-year-old has spent the past six seasons pitching for the Hanshin Tigers. He was 2-2 last season with a 1.32 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in 47.2 innings.
The Japanese reliever was said to have strong interest from the Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles.
He has not thrown over 70 innings in a season since 2007.
