Cubs Close to Signing Takahashi?

According to a report from Cubs.com, citing Sports Hochi as the source, the Cubs are close to signing Ken Takahashi to a one-year contract. The 40-year old southpaw was 8-5 last season for the Hiroshima Carp with a 3.50 ERA.

The Cubs have been looking for another Japanese player to help Kosuke Fukudome with the transition and tried unsuccessfully last year when they signed Shingo Takatsu to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

Updated 2:49pm C.T. - Cubs' Officials Deny Being Close on Deal for Takahashi

If the Cubs signed Ken Takahashi he would give Lou Piniella another southpaw in the pen along with Neal Cotts and in turn could allow Sean Marshall to move into the rotation.

The Cubs are rumored to be looking for another starting pitcher to compete for the fifth spot in the rotation. Takahashi could be used as a middle reliever or in spot starts.

The report on NPB Tracker stated it would be a Major League deal but "this is very early speculation."

Stay Tuned....

Update - According to a report on Monday afternoon from Cubs.com, Cubs' officials denied the report that they were close to a deal with Ken Takahashi. The report did not deny interest, just being close to a deal with the southpaw reliever.

roguesqr09

Cubs officials denied a report that the team was close to signing Japanese left-hander Ken Takahashi. - crom chicagocubs.com

Note that it doesn't state that they aren't interested, just that they aren't close.

Neil

Roguesqr09....thank you for the heads up on the report. A tip of my cap to you. I just updated the article.

JimK

In the interests of a humorous opinion, and not being offensive, I say that we Takawalkie on Takahashi. Actually, the "rumor" has to be dumb on its surface. The guy is a AA pitcher at best.

If John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus in his Sunday remarks is right, there is little or no interest in Pudge, Garret Anderson, Hinske, Ray Durham, Edmonds and Odalis Perez--and they may have to retire. In cases like Pudge and Anderson, that may be saying that they refuse to play for $3 or $4 mil or be back-ups, but it certainly is another aspect of the clash between big bucks, declining skills, and budget management. Hinske is a low cost, productive guy, and he will get a job if he wants one.

Photo Chris

Kind of sounds like when the Cubs signed Shingo "Mr. Zero" Takatsu, little or no chance of making the team. They brought in Shingo last year for the same reason, to supposedly help Fukudome adjust.

joe d

Fukudome is going to have to get over his slump on his own. I have no idea how bringing in a Japanese middle-reliever would help him with his hitting. Let's hope they actually see something in Takahashi's pitching ability that doesn't come through in the numbers.

Joe S. (San Diego)

Not impressed at all with Mr. Takahashi's numbers.....

Here's a link to his career stats:

http://www.japanesebaseball.com/players/player.jsp?PlayerID=281

Neil

Joe...thanks for the link. I should have included. Also, 'a major league deal' would require the Cubs to make another roster move because their 40-man roster stands at 40....

Joe S. (San Diego)

Interesting theory, I suppose. I don't like the age of him....but is his stuff good enough that he'd have a great advantage from being new in the league? I'd like to hear what scouts think.

I would think if we brought any Japaneese player to make him comfortable it would be a player with experience, not another rookie (no matter that he is 40). Seems like Kosuke's biggest problem was the adjustment to the big leagues....how is a player who hasn't played in the majors going to help him???