International focus grows as Cubs evaluate Japanese pitching options |
Dustin Riese
· · 2 hours ago
By now, it shouldn't be a surprise, but the Chicago Cubs have been actively scouting the International market, especially Japan. Can you blame them, as this year's International Class could be one of the better classes in recent memory when you look at the potential starts from the top down.
Whether it be Kazuma Okamoto, Munetaka Murakami, Tatsuya Imai, or Foster Griffin (Mentioned as a Cubs fit), the Japanese market is budding with talent and ready to take over the 2025-26 Free Agent class. However, those aren't the only players expected to be posted by the NPB, as several others are looking for MLB homes this offseason. Even if these players aren't on the same level as the ones mentioned above, that doesn't mean they won't make an impact in this league. Given the cost of some of these guys and how they project, look for the Cubs to pivot toward them to build a roster within their budget constraints.
One of the lesser-known pitchers who could be on his way to the MLB is the right-hander Takahashi. Despite being one of the more sought-after arms for years, Takahashi isn't going to get the lucrative deal you would think, as his team posted him too late in the process to make that happen. The 29-year-old reached his highest value in 2022 and 2023, but his team failed to post him during those seasons. He then went 0-11 in 2024, which ultimately killed his overall value. He did, however, post a 3.87 ERA in 2024, so the record aside, the overall results didn't tell the whole story.
Another guy to keep tabs on is 27-year-old right-hander Hiroto Saiki. After missing most of the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to injuries, Saiki has more than made up for it since, tossing nearly 500 innings since the start of the 2022 season. To go with that comes an impressive 1.71 ERA, which is near the top in all the NPB. Known for his dynamic fastball that can touch 97-98 MPH, Saiki is more than just a one-trick pony as he adds one of his best splitters in Japan to that fastball. Pair that with a change-up and several other off-speed offerings, and this could be someone who is going to get overlooked in the free agent process this season.
A bit older than the above names at 33, Arihara is another right-hander who is looking to land a home on an MLB roster. Arihara is no stranger to the MLB free agent process, as he signed a two-year deal with the Rangers ahead of the 2021 season to be their No. 2 or 3 starter that season. Then came the catastrophic aneurysm in his throwing shoulder, which sent him to the injured list in May, and he was never able to recover, as he was stuck in AAA the rest of the way. After returning to Japan in 2023, Arihara has been a consistent performer in the Hawks' rotation, which is all you can ask for coming off an injury he dealt with. Unlike most players who need to be posted, he enters this offseason as a full International free agent, which means no posting fee would be required. He seems like a logical fit for the Cubs, knowing that, but would he be the best option for them going forward?
Well, there is a name we can all relate to, as former Cubs reliever Anthony Kay is coming back to the States after showing up in Japan. After appearing in 44 games for several teams, including the Cubs, during the 2019-2023 season, Kay left the states for Japan, where he has gone from a reliever to a reliable starting pitcher. Armed with a mid-90s heater and a lethal breaking ball, Kay had to readjust to starting regularly, and after taking some lumps along the way, he started to turn things on in the past year. It will be interesting to see how teams view him this offseason, but if anything, he will be a great swing man who can fill in both as a starter and a reliever. These are the expected names from Japan to be posted this season, and, knowing the Cubs, they will be kicking the tires on many of them. Whether or not deals get done is a different story, but at least give them some credit for going outside the box to add to this roster.Kona Takahashi (RHP, Saitama Seibu Lions)
Hiroto Saiki (RHP, Hanshin Tigers)
Kohei Arihara (RHP, Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks)
Anthony Kay (LHP Yokohama BayStars)
