Cubs Reach Agreement With Japanese Reliever Kyuji Fujikawa

Fujikama will receive a $1 million signing bonus from the Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have reached an agreement with Japanese reliever Kyuji Fujikawa according to sources. Fujikawa is guaranteed $9.5 million as part of his deal with the Cubs, Fujikama will receive a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $4 million for 2013 and 2014.

Fujikawa will likely be used as the Cubs’ closer and may mean that Carlos Marmol will be on the trading block. Fujikawa pitched to a 1.36 ERA with 202 saves over six seasons with the Hanshin Tigers. Fujikawa features a low 90s fastball, slider and a forkball.

Fujikawa was thought to be headed for the Los Angeles Angels as late as last night. Fujikawa reportedly met with the Dodgers, Angels, Orioles, Cubs and Diamondbacks

More Cubs News

This week the MLB winter meetings began in Nashville and the Cubs are expected to shop Alfonso Soriano. Soriano is owed $36 million over the next two seasons and holds a full no trade clause.

Soriano will garner strong interest from teams seeking right-handed power and the Cubs would be willing to include some cash to make a deal work.

Soriano’s value has increased considering what the Red Sox just gave to free agent Jonny Gomes , a two-year $10 million deal.

The Phillies may be interested Soriano replace Hunter Pence who was traded to the San Francisco Giants at the deadline.