The Cubs introduced their new free agent prize right-handed pitcher Yu Darvish Tuesday.
“I can’t wait to get started,” Darvish said via a translator during a press conference at Sloan Park. “I’m looking forward to playing (for manager Joe Maddon).”
Darvish, 31, will be guaranteed $126 million over the next six seasons with the chance to earn an additional $24 million in incentives. Darvish will earn $25 million in 2018.
Cubs President Theo Epstein said that Darvish was the team’s No. 1 target this offseason, citing his strikeout talents.
When asked why it took so long to make a deal, Epstein said: “It wasn’t anyone’s choice to wait this long. ... It’s a process.”
Darvish told reporters that enjoyed his December meeting with Cubs, saying that the Cubs were “sincere.”
The addition of Darvish allows the Cubs to maintain a strong rotation in the wake of the departures of free agents Jake Arrieta and John Lackey. The rotation now comprises Darvish, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana — who began the 2017 season as the White Sox’s ace — and Chatwood.
The Cubs spoke to the agent for Arrieta — Scott Boras — as a courtesy call as Darvish was on the verge of agreeing to terms Saturday, a source said.
Meanwhile, Quintana’s team-friendly contract gave the Cubs some financial flexibility to pursue a top-notch free agent of Darvish’s caliber, and Darvish revealed his wife liked the city of Chicago as well as the Cubs.
A December meeting between the Cubs and Darvish in Texas was confirmed by Darvish on his increasingly popular Twitter account, and it didn’t hurt that the Cubs signed catcher Chris Gimenez to a minor-league contract last month.
Although when asked Tuesday about Gimenez, Darvish replied: “I like (Willson) Contreras better.”
The Cubs were interested in Darvish before the July 31 trade deadline but had multiple needs. They acquired left-hander Jose Quintana, left-handed reliever Justin Wilson and backup catcher Alex Avila in separate deals during the final 2 1/2 weeks of July.
Darvish, meanwhile was traded minutes before the deadline for three prospects from the talent-rich Dodgers.
The Cubs’ high opinion of Darvish was reinforced in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, when he allowed one run, six hits and a walk with seven strikeouts against the Cubs in 6 1/3 innings.
A source said Darvish’s deal includes an opt-out clause, but there will be plenty of incentive for him to help the Cubs return to the World Series. Darvish, who has pitched in three postseasons (2012, 2016-17), allowed five runs in 1 2/3 innings to the Astros in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series.
Epstein declined to elaborate on Arrieta’s contributions until he signs with another team but acknowledged that the organization wouldn’t possess a 2016 World Series ring without his performance.
“Tip your cap to Jake Arrieta and wish him well,” Epstein said.
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