Kyuji Fujikawa will pitch for the Chicago Cubs in 2013. The Cubs signed the Japanese reliever to a two year deal worth $9.5 million. The 32-year-old pitched for 12 seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball league.
While it is a lot of money for a reliever for a team that is not expected to contend, Fujikawa should prove to be a solid presence at the back of the Cubs bullpen.
Fukijawa was 2-2 with 24 saves and a 1.32 ERA in 47 2/3 innings this season with Hanshin of the Japan Central League. Fujikawa is considered a power pitcher with a mid-90s mph fastball. He has averaged 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings in his career.
In 12 seasons, 32-year-old Fujikawa has collected 220 saves and has a 1.77 ERA. 220 saves ranks him 5th in all time Japanese Career Saves leader.
The Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers were both interested in signing the reliever but they were looking to use him as a setup man.
