More Details and Thoughts on Kyuji Fujikawa’s Reported Contract and Other Bullets

The story out of Kansas City is really troubling on so many levels. I wish other writers would resist the urge to use the tragedy as a spring-board to discuss their favorite pet issue – domestic violence, mental illness, concussion problems in the NFL – and take some time to just think about the victim, and the family. All of those things merit discussion in time. But this isn’t that time, and 10 minutes after the event certainly weren’t the time.

  • The Cubs haven’t yet confirmed the signing, and might not until he’s actually sitting at a press conference (or, perhaps when he takes the mound in April, after a full Spring Training (“Now entering the game for the Cubs … what’s this? A newly-signed righty out of Japan! Confirmed!”)), but last night reports indicated that the Cubs have come to terms with Japanese reliever Kyuji Fujikawa on a two-year, $9.5 million deal, with an option for 2015 (which appears to be either a player option or a team option, depending on how many games Fujikawa finishes). Jon Heyman adds that Fujikawa also can receive up to $2 million per year in incentives, which, again, is almost certainly based on games finished (which is a proxy for “saves,” since teams are not allowed to based contract incentives on production stats like saves, or homers, or RBI – only things like appearances, games played, and awards).
  • The added incentive money makes sense. I was visiting my mom with the Little Girl yesterday when the Fujikawa news broke (and scrambling to leave so I wouldn’t destroy her bedtime), so I didn’t have too much time to digest the contract, itself, and ponder whether it was more or less than I thought it would be. Consider Fujikawa’s history of success and the state of the reliever market, I suppose I would have thought it was a pretty cheap deal – though the uncertainty of a player who hasn’t played in the States obviously factors into the cost. With those incentives added, it shifts a bit closer to the expected range. If Fujikawa becomes the full-time closer, his salary in 2013/2014 could be $6 million (plus he’d already have pocketed a $1 million signing bonus), which would put him in the range of, for example, the deal Jonathan Broxton just signed to close for the Reds. Once again, the likelihood that Carlos Marmol opens 2013 with the Cubs is slim.
  • Jed Hoyer on Junior Lake, who continues to rip up the Dominican Winter League: “Junior is an amazing athlete. He has the ability to move around. When you have a guy who can play short and third and left and center field, I think we’ll use all that athleticism. We don’t know exactly what his final home will be but it’s been nice to get reports from [long time scout and Dominican manager] Dave Jauss from the Dominican Republic talking about [Lake’s] performance and development. I hope he can springboard off a good winter ball and head into Spring Training with some confidence.” This is the second straight season that Lake has dominated a post-season league (last year it was the AFL). He remains an enigma: a physical talent with skills he can’t harness consistently, and enough defensive ability at a variety of positions to maybe be passable, but not enough (yet) to be great at any one spot.
  • John Sickels teases us with the contours of his Cubs’ prospect list, without yet revealing the list. In that post, and then updated in the comments, Sickels says the Cubs have (not yet final) one A prospect, two B+, one B, nine B-, sixteen C+, and thirteen C. For reference, Sickels’ grades generally work like this: Grade A prospect are future stars or superstars (if injury doesn’t derail them), and it’s an extremely rare ranking. Grade B prospects are very good prospects, some of whom will become future stars. Most will at least make the majors in some kind of useful role. Grace C prospects are good prospects, some of whom will become stars, but who are either too young or have too many question marks to receive a higher grade. That the Cubs have thirteen prospects at B- or better is blowing my mind.
  • As we go through the holiday season, thinking about family as much as fandom, this story on the Duncan family – that would be patriarch Dave Duncan, long-time Cardinals’ pitching coach – is worth a read. Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded that, whatever our fandom, we’re all people.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    The Chicago Cubs Are Not Stealing Bases So Far This Year

    The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...

    Cubs Roster Moves: Wisdom and Taillon Are Back, Wesneski and Mastrobuoni Are Out

    Even with tonight's rainout, the Chicago Cubs are still making some roster moves. When Patrick Wisdom was removed (perfectly healthy) from the I-Cubs game in the 4th inning on Wednesday, we had an idea of what was coming next. When...

    Tonight’s Cubs-Marlins Game Has Been Postponed

    The weather wasn't going to cooperate for Jameson Taillon's season debut, and tonight's Cubs-Marlins tilt has been postponed. The game will instead be part of a split-doubleheader this Saturday, with the first game at 1:20pm CT and the second at...

    MLBits: Paul Skenes Could Make His MLB Debut Any Day (But Probably Won’t), Red-Hot Orioles, Houck’s Maddux, More

    If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...

    Back to Wrigley: Cubs vs Marlins – Series Preview

    Cubs vs Marlins — Whew! The Cubs got through their first West Coast road trip of the year, and did so with a winning record (5-4) against the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. They definitely let a couple games slip out...

    Taillon Coming Back, Busch’s Integrity and Success, Bad News for the White Sox, Wicks, Hendricks, and Other Cubs Bullets

    As the father of a toddler who was sick for an entire week — the same week Brett was out from his back surgery and the Cubs were playing almost exclusively late-night ballgames on the West Coast — I was...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 18, 2024: Caissie, Alcántara Go Yard, South Bend and Myrtle Beach Smoked, More

    Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies last night, and Owen Caissie hit his first Triple-A home run for the Iowa Cubs as Iowa and Tennessee secured victories. The same can't be said...

    Cody Bellinger Sticking With Scott Boras

    Given the way the offseason played out for super agent Scott Boras's top available clients - Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery - you wouldn't be shocked to see some unhappiness behind the scenes. Did Boras overplay...

    You’ll Be Even More Impressed with Hayden Wesneski, When You Hear What it Took to Get Him to Arizona

    Hayden Wesneski was the hero of yesterday's finale and series-win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, coming in to clean up Jordan Wicks' (little) mess in the 5th ... and then tossing 4 shutout innings to save an over-used bullpen and help...

    Offseason Cubs Target Robert Stephenson Now Out for the Year

    Hand up, I really wanted the Cubs to sign reliever Robert Stephenson this offseason. I felt like they could use one more impact arm (accurate), and I felt like Stephenson was one of the best available (about that ... )....

    Latest News

    Best NBA Prop Bets Today – Friday, April 19, 2024

    Today's NBA playoff slate has two quality competitions in store. Among those contests is the Sacramento Kings taking on the New Orleans Pelicans.NBA prop bets for today's games are available, so if you're interested in placing a bet or building...

    DraftKings Promo Code: Bet $5, Gets $200 with Latest New User Offer

    Are you eager to dive into the exhilarating world of sports betting? Look no further than the brand new DraftKings promo code offer, designed specifically to welcome new users. DraftKings, a powerhouse in the United States online sportsbook industry, is...

    The Chicago Cubs Are Not Stealing Bases So Far This Year

    The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...

    Cubs vs. Marlins Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    The Chicago Cubs (11-7) host the Miami Marlins (4-15) on Friday to start a four-game series, with the first pitch at 2:20 PM ET from Wrigley Field. The Cubs are listed as -173 favorites, while the underdog Marlins have +144...

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 19, 2024

    There are 15 matchups on today's MLB schedule, including the Baltimore Orioles playing the Kansas City Royals.One of the best ways to wager on baseball is via MLB player prop bets. There are props for each of today's matchups, and...

    Cubs vs. Marlins Probable Starting Pitchers – April 19

    The Miami Marlins (4-15) begin a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs (11-7) on Friday at Wrigley Field. First pitch is at 2:20 PM.The Cubs will give the nod to Jameson Taillon and the Marlins will turn to Andrew Jacob...

    How to Watch Reds vs. Angels: Live Stream or on TV

    Nick Lodolo will take the mound for the Cincinnati Reds (9-9) when they host starter Tyler Anderson and the Los Angeles Angels (9-10) on Friday, with first pitch at 6:40 PM ET.Keep reading to find out how to watch the...

    Kings vs. Pelicans Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Friday, April 19, 2024

    The Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans take the court to start the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Kings are favored by 1.5 points in the contest, which airs on TNT at 9:30 PM ET. The over/under...

    Nick Foligno Calls Out Blackhawks Teammates, Says Changes Are Needed

    The Blackhawks put the worst regular season of more than 70 games in the history of the franchise to bed on Thursday night in a manner that sums up the season fairly well. Connor Murphy was banged up and Nikita...

    2024 NBA Playoffs Odds: Mavs vs Clippers Odds to Win Series, Spreads, Lines

    It's a first-round matchup with a history of fireworks! The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers lock horns once again in the NBA Playoffs. This year marks the third time in five years these two teams meet in the opening...

    more cubs news