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CHICAGO -- Once Shōta Imanaga knew for sure that he was going to signal with the Cubs, he reached out to outfielder Seiya Suzuki to ship the information.

“He was excited,” Imanaga stated throughout his introductory press convention, throughout which Cubs software program engineer Shingo Murata served as his interpreter. “He showed happiness as if this was happening to Seiya himself. That really excites me, and I really look forward to helping the Cubs team together.”

The Cubs signed Imanaga to a four-year, $53 million deal that has the potential to develop right into a five-year pact. Suzuki is coming into his third season with Chicago, which signed him to a five-year, $85 million deal previous to the ‘22 season. The two have historical past collectively from enjoying for Team Japan and in Nippon Professional Baseball.

As Imanaga makes the transition not solely to the Major Leagues however to life within the U.S., the Cubs are hopeful that Suzuki’s presence shall be useful. The proper fielder has an elevated degree of consolation with town and ballclub now, and the staff can use the suggestions from Suzuki’s acclimation course of to assist Imanaga.

“The organization has learned a lot having Seiya for these two years -- what things we can do better,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer stated. “Our hope has always been that we want to be a destination for Japanese players. I think we treat them incredibly well. I think we're willing to go above and beyond to make sure that the transition goes really smoothly.”

When Suzuki was going by his personal free company, he consulted former Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish, who spoke extremely of enjoying for the North Siders; that performed a task in Suzuki’s choice. Imanaga additionally consulted with Darvish, who provided recommendation about selecting a staff and described Chicago as a “wonderful” place to play.

Suzuki is coming off a robust 2023 through which he hit .285 with 20 homers, 31 doubles, 74 RBIs and an .842 OPS in 138 video games. That included hitting at a .350 clip with a 1.073 OPS in 50 video games over the ultimate two months. Imanaga joins the Cubs’ rotation after main NPB in strikeouts (174 in 148 innings) final yr.

Outfielder Ian Happ -- who visited with Suzuki and his household whereas honeymooning in Japan this offseason -- is thrilled that Imanaga shall be within the fold for the subsequent few years.

“I think it's going to be great for the locker room,” Happ stated. “I feel it's going to be good for each of them to have that. I feel a number of translators, and every part that goes together with that, I feel it's going to be good for the group.

“We've had Japanese guys here since I've been here -- with Koji [Uehara] and then Darvish and Seiya -- but never two at the same time. I think having that relationship, those guys will be really good.”

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