The top starting pitcher on the free agent market finally made his decision on Saturday, as Yu Darvish reportedly agreed to a six-year, $126 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. Incentives can bring the possible value of the deal to $150 million.
Darvish had received interest from several teams this offseason, but the Cubs willingness to add on an additional sixth year may have ultimately gotten the deal done, as up until that point there were only reports of the right-hander holding five-year offers.
While it seemed unlikely due to their desire to remain below the luxury tax threshold, a reunion with the Los Angeles Dodgers was also a possibility. Darvish himself expressed a desire in returning, in some part to atone for his World Series struggles.
According to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball, the Dodgers were involved in talks with Darvish up to his agreeing to terms with the Cubs:
sources: dodgers were in on darvish until the end
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 10, 2018
Heyman went on to add that the Dodgers’ offer to Darvish was similar to that of the Cubs, but hinged on shedding salary:
dodgers were said to have offered in the same ballpark as cubs, but he picked chicago #darvish
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 10, 2018
twins and brewers are believed to have made five-year, $100M-plus offers for darvish. dodgers are believed to have been willing to go to six, too. #cubs
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 10, 2018
dodgers were very interested. but their offers were contingent on being able to move salary. they made contingent offers.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 10, 2018
source suggests that while dodgers were willing to go to six years, they weren't all that close to to the $126M winning bid
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 10, 2018
Darvish bolting for the Cubs could have serious implications in the National League moving forward. The Cubs and Dodgers have met in each of the last two NL Championship Series, with each team winning one matchup.
Additionally, it adds another layer to Cubs owner Todd Ricketts referring to the Dodgers as his organization’s ‘biggest nemesis.’ Earlier this winter, Chicago signed Brandon Morrow to a two-year contract.
With Darvish now off the market, it will be interesting to see if the Dodgers now pivot to one of the other top starters on the market like Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb or Lance Lynn, or if they decide to continue with their plan of staying below the luxury tax in 2018 and look to upgrade at the non-waiver trade deadline.
