Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga wasted little time endearing himself to Chicago Cubs fans Friday at his introductory press conference.
The Cubs a day earlier announced their signing of the 30-year-old free agent, who was posted by the Central League's DeNA BayStars after eight years with the Yokohama-based club.
Imanaga drew laughter and cheers from the fans in attendance as he opened with a line from the team's victory song "Go, Cubs, Go."
"Hey Chicago, what do you say? Cubs are gonna win today," said Imanaga, who delivered some more pleasantries in English before speaking through an interpreter.
The pitcher's contract guarantees $53 million over four seasons, with a team option to extend to a total five-year, $80 million deal, according to MLB.com, citing a source.
The Cubs are expected to pay a posting fee of $9,825,000 to the BayStars.
Imanaga joins fellow Samurai Japan player Seiya Suzuki as a member of the Cubs. The two were set to play together at the 2023 World Baseball Classic last March before an oblique injury prevented Suzuki from appearing for the eventual champions of the tournament.
"I've had a relationship with (Suzuki) since our playing days in (Nippon Professional Baseball)," Imanaga said. "I did not talk to him before I made the decision, but I reached out to him after and he was excited. I really look forward to helping the Cubs team together with him."
The southpaw revealed he did consult, however, with WBC teammate and former Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish, now of the San Diego Padres, about both free agency and playing in Chicago.
"I contacted Darvish-san and asked him about the most important things when deciding a team," Imanaga said.
Imanaga chalked up a 7-4 record with a 2.80 ERA over 22 games last season for DeNA, leading the CL with 174 strikeouts over 148 innings. He was also the starter and winning pitcher for Japan in the WBC final against the United States.
"What excites me is, one, what he has accomplished already," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. "When you look through kind of the stat line, it's just like this is a very skilled pitcher."
Imanaga will wear the No. 18 for Chicago and explained he wanted to follow the example of one of its previous owners, 2016 World Series MVP Ben Zobrist, in doing whatever it takes to win.
"To Cubs fans," the pitcher said in English. "I'm going to do my best to contribute to the Cubs winning the World Series. I look forward to meeting you at Wrigley Field."
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