Cubs sign Seiya Suzuki to huge five-year deal originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Cubs focused their attention on the outfield and landed Japanese star Seiya Suzuki, according to NBC Sports Chicago's David Kaplan.
Sources also told Kaplan and NBC Sports Chicago's Gordon Wittenmyer the Cubs' meeting with Japanese free agent Seiya Suzuki included chairman Tom Ricketts flying to Arizona Monday to make a pitch to the four-time NPB All-Star.
Ricketts showed up at the team's spring training complex on Tuesday morning and spent much of the day with the front office.
The Cubs were among a half dozen teams reportedly pursuing Suzuki, who was available to sign with any MLB team this offseason through the league's posting process.
Chicago Baseball
The 27-year-old has spent his entire pro career with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and is coming off a strong season in which he hit .317/.433/.639 with 38 home runs (a career-high) and 88 RBIs.
He's also a strong defender with multiple Gold Gloves on his resume.
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Kaplan reported Tuesday the Cubs were one of several teams in on former Chicago left fielder Kyle Schwarber, one of the more coveted outfielders on the market but didn't consider themselves a favorite to land Schwarber.
Schwarber has a number of teams interested in him, including reported strong interest by the Blue Jays. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported the competition for Schwarber "remains intense" on Tuesday.
Team president Jed Hoyer was asked Monday if he expects to make a "significant addition" before Opening Day.
And it looks like he's done that.
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