It took nearly the entire offseason, but the Cubs have landed the biggest free agent Saturday.
They agreed to terms on a six-year contract with pitcher Yu Darvish that will guarantee the prized right-hander $126 million, a source confirmed.
The deal cannot be announced until Darvish, 31, passes a physical examination. But it apparently completes the team’s mission of fortifying their rotation with free agents Jake Arrieta and John Lackey departing.
Darvish posted a 3.86 ERA in 31 starts with the Rangers and Dodgers last season, but his 209 strikeouts in 186 2/3 innings possesses the swing-and-miss stuff the Cubs were looking for. Darvish has struck out 1,021 in 832 1/3 innings over five major-league seasons.
He missed the entire 2015 season because of Tommy John surgery.
Darvish also has pitched in three postseasons (2012, 2016, 2017). He undoubtedly will be motivated to make amends for his performance in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series, when he allowed five runs in 1 2/3 innings to the Astros.