Cubs Sign Japanese Star Takeshi Yamamoto to $95 Million Deal, Signaling Rebuild Complete

The Chicago Cubs made their most significant free agent acquisition in years Thursday, agreeing to terms with Japanese pitching star Takeshi Yamamoto on a six-year, $95 million contract that signals the franchise believes its rebuilding phase has ended.

Yamamoto, 26, arrives at Wrigley Field as one of the most coveted international pitchers in recent memory. Over five seasons with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball, the right-hander compiled a 2.15 ERA while striking out 923 batters in 812 innings. His combination of a devastating splitter, pinpoint control, and fierce competitiveness drew comparisons to countryman Yu Darvish at his peak.

“This is a transformational signing for our organization,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said during a press conference at Wrigley Field. “Takeshi is a frontline starter who can anchor a rotation for years to come. He gives us the kind of pitcher you need to compete for championships.”

The deal includes a full no-trade clause and could be worth up to $115 million with performance incentives, according to sources familiar with the agreement.

A Long Pursuit

The Cubs’ courtship of Yamamoto began more than a year ago, when scouts first identified him as a potential target once his NPB contract allowed him to be posted for bidding by Major League Baseball teams.

Chicago sent multiple delegations to Japan to watch Yamamoto pitch, including a trip by Hoyer himself. The Cubs also leveraged their existing Japanese player connections—reliever Shota Imanaga has been with the organization since 2024—to help recruit the pitcher.

“We wanted Takeshi to understand what the Cubs are about,” Hoyer said. “The history of this franchise, the passion of our fans, the experience of playing at Wrigley Field. We believe he’s a perfect fit for Chicago.”

Yamamoto reportedly drew interest from at least eight other teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and San Francisco Giants. The Cubs’ combination of a competitive offer, playing time certainty, and organizational stability ultimately won out.

“The Cubs made me feel like a priority from the very beginning,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter during the press conference. “I watched their young players develop over the past few years and saw a team ready to take the next step. I want to be part of that journey.”

The Rotation Transformation

Yamamoto’s arrival completes a remarkable overhaul of the Cubs’ starting rotation, which has been transformed from organizational weakness to potential strength over the past 18 months.

The pitcher joins a staff that already includes emerging ace Justin Steele, who finished fourth in National League Cy Young voting last season; Shota Imanaga, who has developed into a reliable mid-rotation option; and promising young arms Jordan Wicks and Ben Brown.

“A year ago, we had serious questions about our rotation depth,” manager Craig Counsell said. “Now we have five guys who could start for almost any team in baseball. That’s a good problem to have.”

Yamamoto is expected to slot into the rotation alongside Steele at the top, giving the Cubs a legitimate one-two punch capable of matching any team in the National League. His ability to throw deep into games—he averaged nearly seven innings per start in Japan—should also help preserve a bullpen that wore down late in 2025.

What Chicago Gets

Yamamoto’s statistical profile suggests he’ll be an immediate impact player. His primary weapon is a splitter that registers in the high-80s with devastating late movement, inducing whiffs at a rate exceeding 40 percent in NPB. He complements it with a mid-90s four-seam fastball that plays up due to his extension and ability to locate it on both sides of the plate.

Perhaps most impressively, Yamamoto walks fewer than two batters per nine innings—a level of control that should translate well to MLB, where expanded strike zones have favored pitchers who can paint corners.

“He’s not going to overpower hitters with pure velocity,” said Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy. “But he has an elite ability to execute his pitches and keep hitters off balance. That’s the kind of pitcher who succeeds at the highest level.”

There are, of course, risks inherent in any international signing. Japanese pitchers have had mixed results in MLB, and the transition to a 162-game schedule with less rest between starts has challenged even the most talented imports. Yamamoto has also dealt with occasional shoulder soreness, though he has never required surgery or spent extended time on the injured list.

“We’ve done our due diligence on Takeshi’s health and durability,” Hoyer said. “We’re confident he can handle the workload of a major league season.”

The Rebuild Ends

Beyond the immediate on-field impact, Yamamoto’s signing carries symbolic weight. It represents the Cubs’ declaration that they are ready to contend again after years of methodical rebuilding following their 2016 World Series championship.

The franchise bottomed out in 2021, losing 91 games as it traded away core pieces from the championship team. The years since have been spent accumulating young talent through the draft and international signing, developing homegrown players, and carefully adding complementary pieces.

“We’ve been patient and disciplined about how we’ve built this roster,” Hoyer said. “We’re not done—there’s still work to do. But this signing shows that we believe we’re close.”

Cubs fans, who endured years of losing before the 2016 breakthrough and have grown restless during the subsequent rebuild, have greeted Yamamoto’s signing with enthusiasm. Social media exploded with excitement when the deal was first reported, and ticket sales for the upcoming season have surged.

What It Means for Wrigleyville

The neighborhood surrounding Wrigley Field stands to benefit from a competitive Cubs team. Restaurants, bars, and shops that depend on game-day traffic have struggled during the rebuilding years, when attendance dipped and fan enthusiasm waned.

“A winning Cubs team is good for everyone around here,” said Mike Roberts, owner of Murphy’s Bleachers, the iconic bar across from the ballpark’s left field entrance. “When fans are excited about the team, they show up early, they stay late, and they spend money. We’re already getting reservations for Opening Day.”

Yamamoto’s contract includes provisions for temporary housing as he adjusts to life in Chicago. Team officials have arranged for him to stay in Lincoln Park while he searches for a permanent residence, and the organization has assigned staffers to help him navigate the transition.

“Coming to a new country is a big adjustment,” Yamamoto said. “But I’ve heard so much about Chicago—the food, the people, the passion for sports. I’m excited to experience it for myself.”

Yamamoto is expected to participate in spring training beginning in February. The Cubs open the regular season at home on March 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals.