Yu Darvish Presser Bits: Picking the Cubs, His Time in L.A., Meeting Kyle Schwarber, Loving Willson Contreras

Earlier today, Theo Epstein introduced the newest member of the Chicago Cubs, right-hander Yu Darvish, in Arizona, making the six-year/$126 million deal reported on Saturday officially official.

If you’d like, you can watch the entirety of the press conference right here (you’ll want to skip ahead to the ten-minute mark, which is when it really starts).

But if you don’t have the time to sit through the whole thing, fear not. I’ve collected some of the highlights for you below, and we can talk through them as we go. Ready?

  • First thing’s first, Theo Epstein made it clear that Yu Darvish was the Cubs primary target of the offseason:
  • He later admitted that while Darvish wasn’t necessarily the plan from Day 1, that’s not because they didn’t want him (they did). They just weren’t sure they were going to be able to get him on the sort of deal that would allow them to remain under the luxury tax threshold this season, and, given their plans in the future, that was a priority. As we’ll explore soon, the $21M in average annual value on Darvish’s contract should keep the Cubs comfortably under the luxury tax threshold in 2018.
  • Epstein also explained that the cost-control years of Jose Quintana played a role in the idea that they could go after another high-priced pitcher:
  • In a way, this makes parting with a prospect like Eloy Jimenez even more digestible, because it led to not one, but two quality starting pitchers on the North Side for the foreseeable future. And in any case, it sounds like the “plan” officially changed around the Winter Meetings:
  • Back to the presser … This video from NBC Sports Chicago also collected some of Epstein’s thoughts, including his love for Darvish’s skillset:
  • As Brett pointed out, Epstein seemed throughly (and rightfully!) pleased with the move:
  • And here’s the moment he finally put the jersey on:
  • As for why Darvish chose the Cubs, Gordon Wittenmyer and Carrie Muskat have us covered:
  • Darvish was referring to the meeting back in December, when Epstein and Jed Hoyer traveled to Dallas to meet with Darvish. Epstein added that Darvish’s maturity, understanding of the game, and development as a pitcher stuck out in the lengthy conversation (which they had in English).
  • Darvish was asked about the contract details – particularly the opt-out clause after just two years – but responded that it wasn’t appropriate to talk about it and that he’s happy to be in Chicago and with the Cubs. Frankly, there’s not much more you can expect him to say. Obviously, he’s hoping he can pitch well enough to opt-out and earn more money – the Cubs are hoping he pitches that well too! – but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to be in Chicago.
  • With that said, Darvish also shared some thoughts on his short time with the Dodgers, which he clearly treasured:
  • Given the way he spoke of the Dodgers, well, let’s just say the Cubs are probably lucky they couldn’t figure out a way to move Matt Kemp’s salary in time.
  • Without a doubt, the highlight of the press conference was when Darvish was asked if the Cubs signing Chris Gimenez, his friend and former catcher in Texas, had anything to do with picking the Cubs …
  • Willson Contreras clearly caught word of the compliment, and responded:
  • https://twitter.com/WContreras40/status/963502578066587648

  • And, finally, when pressed on what really brought him to the Cubs, Darvish pointed to the group of young talented players already on the roster. And when he was asked whom he looked forward to meeting/playing with in particular, he responded not with Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, or Jon Lester, but Kyle Schwarber … and for good reason:
  • In case you forgot what that homer looked like
  • written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

    more cubs news

    WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

    The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

    Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

    Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    Why Craig Counsell Wanted Miles Mastrobuoni on the Cubs’ Bench

    I don't know why Miles Mastrobuoni bugs some folks, but it's probably heavily-weighted toward his small-sample, bad-batted-ball-luck start last year, and that time he didn't dive while playing in right field. It can be hard to shake initial impressions, I...

    Kinda Sounds Like Craig Counsell May Have a Set Top Three in the Batting Order

    New Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has said, generally, his batting order philosophy is the very simplistic (and very correct): just get your best hitters the most at bats. Sure, there's some play in that to set up good match-ups,...

    Los Angeles Dodgers Signing Will Smith to a TEN-YEAR Extension

    The Los Angeles Dodgers have done it again. And by it, I mean they have signed a funkily-structured contract that is going to leave some folks annoyed. The Dodgers are extending catcher Will Smith on a DECADE-long deal with a...

    The Stretch: 2024 MLB Season Preview

    On Monday, during a team-building conversation with some of the Bleacher Nation and Betsperts Media Group folks, we discussed sports—shocking, I know—and Brian Twining asked the group what their favorite sport was. For me, it's baseball. There's no debate. I...

    We Have to Talk About Some of the “Deals” the Cubs Sat Out in Free Agency

    This week, in a conversation with Jon Greenberg at The Athletic, Cubs President Jed Hoyer made an honest and sober (but also moderately disappointing) admission about the 2024 Chicago Cubs: "We need to perform probably at or a little bit...

    The Chicago Cubs Are Reportedly Now Worth Over $5 Billion

    Given all the tumult in the baseball broadcasting world, and the uncertain future for that portion of revenues, you'd be forgiven for expecting that MLB franchise valuations would slow their recent surge. But, according to Sportico at least, you'd be...

    Reds Second Baseman Matt McLain Had Shoulder Surgery

    The injury to Matt McLain's shoulder issue obviously wound up being worse than he and the Cincinnati Reds had been hoping. The damage to his left (non-throwing) labrum ultimately required surgery: https://twitter.com/m_sheldon/status/1772993402604339478 When the hope is that a guy can...

    Latest News

    WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

    The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

    Pac-12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 28

    There is one game featuring a Pac-12 teams on the Thursday postseason college basketball schedule, the Clemson Tigers versus the Arizona Wildcats. Make sure you check out below for today's best bets!How to Bet on Pac-12 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best Pac-12...

    Rays vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Tampa Bay Rays look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-135) in a season-opening matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays. First pitch is on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET on MLB Network, live from Tropicana...

    Astros vs. Yankees Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Houston Astros look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-156) in a season-opening matchup with the New York Yankees. First pitch is on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET on YES, live from Minute Maid Park.Houston's...

    Tigers vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Detroit Tigers begin their season as -181 favorites in a road tilt against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on BSDET.Tarik Skubal starts for Detroit while Garrett Crochet is Chicago's starter for the contest.Tigers...

    Reds vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Cincinnati Reds begin their season as -154 favorites in a home tilt against the Washington Nationals on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on MASN2.Cincinnati's Frankie Montas gets the start, and he'll go against Washington's Josiah Gray.Reds vs. Nationals...

    Dodgers vs. Cardinals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (1-1) will look to Will Smith, red hot after a four-hit game, to lead them in a matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals (0-0) on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET on BSMW. The Dodgers are -232...

    Marlins vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Miami Marlins look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-133) in a season-opening matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates. First pitch is on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET on Sportsnet PT, live from LoanDepot park.Miami's Jesus...

    Padres vs. Giants Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The San Francisco Giants (0-0) are the underdogs on the moneyline (-106) in Thursday's contest against the San Diego Padres (1-1). Game time is set for 4:10 PM ET on NBCS-BA. The Giants are favored against the spread in this...

    Twins vs. Royals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Minnesota Twins look to start their season with a win as road favorites (-122) in a season-opening matchup with the Kansas City Royals. First pitch is on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET on BSN, live from Kauffman Stadium.Pablo Lopez...

    more cubs news