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Just when Pirates fans thought the National League Central couldn’t get any more competitive, the Chicago Cubs go out and sign arguably the best starting pitcher available.
The 2016 world champions signed the former Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers starter Yu Darvish to a long-term deal, bolstering a starting rotation that already includes Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood.
Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic reported Darvish’s deal on Twitter Saturday. While it was initially believed the deal was going to be in the $150 million range, it was later reported to be around $126 million.
BREAKING: Yu Darvish to #Cubs, six year-deal in $150M range, sources tell The Athletic. Pending physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 10, 2018
Breaking: Yu Darvish has agreed to a six-year, $126 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. (first reported by The Athletic, confirmed by ESPN) pic.twitter.com/XvZ0UMAkFh
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 10, 2018
Darvish basically fits perfectly into the Cubs rotation as one of its aces, replacing former Cy Young award winner Jake Arrieta, who also remains unsigned as a free agent.
The addition of the 31-year old right hander gives the Cubs one of the deepest rotations in all of baseball and adds to the deep competition in the NL Central.
The Milwaukee Brewers made drastic improvements to its outfield this offseason, adding Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich. The St. Louis Cardinals also bolstered its lineup, trading for outfielder Marcell Ozuna.
This doesn’t make things easier for the Pirates, who have been heavily criticized this offseason after trading Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole while failing to improve other aspects of the team.
The Pirates front office has had a hard time convincing fans that the club can compete in 2018 and the moves made by the team’s divisional foes doesn’t help their case.
Baseball talk on the web
- Rays starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi sparking trade interest.
- Kenley Jansen among top relievers in Major League Baseball.
- Former Dodgers outfielder Wally Moon dies at 87.
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