Chicago Cubs: Interest in Yu Darvish?

According to reports, the Chicago Cubs could be interested in star free-agent Yu Darvish to bolster their starting rotation.

Heading into this offseason, the Cubs had a few areas of need. Specifically Chicago needed to fix their pitching woes, both in the starting rotation and in the bullpen.

So far during the Winter Meetings, the Cubs have seemingly fixed both of those positions. Agreeing to a 3 year deal with potential steal of the offseason in Tyler Chatwood, previously of the Rockies, and Drew Smyly, who will miss the majority of the 2018 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery late in the 2017 season.

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Despite signing both of these starters, Chicago is still looking for their ace replacement for All-Star Jake Arrieta. Replacing Arrieta will not be easy, since coming over from the Orioles a few years ago he has become one of the most sough after pitchers in the MLB.

The Cubs apparently have their on the replacement for him however. According to Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago, they are dead set on trying to get Yu Darvish to join their rotation for the upcoming season. Darvish will provide a big upgrade over Mike Montgomery, who reportedly would like to continue starting.

After struggling mightily in the World Series against the Astros, the price tag on Darvish may not be as much as it would have been last season. He still could command a yearly pay grade of up $20 million per year, but it won’t be the $25 million he could have secured last season.

For the Cubs, signing Yu Darvish could be the move that takes them back to the top of the National League. After falling apart in the 2017 postseason, they will look to get back to the fall classic next year. What do you think about Chicago signing Yu Darvish to a long-term contract? Let us known in the comments below.

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