Cubs Agree to Terms With Uehara, White Sox Get Holland

By ESPN

Free-agent reliever Koji Uehara agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

Terms weren't disclosed, but a source told ESPN's Jesse Rogers that the contract is worth $6 million.

Uehara had better offers from other teams but chose to take less to join the Cubs, according to the source.

Uehara, who will turn 42 in April, was the fourth-oldest player to throw a pitch in the big leagues in 2016 after Bartolo Colon, Joe Nathan and R.A. Dickey. He has pitched for the Baltimore Orioles (2009-11), Texas Rangers (2011-12) and Boston Red Sox (2013-16) after playing for 10 years for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan.

In 2016, he made 50 appearances and posted a 3.45 ERA. He also recorded 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings, his highest total since 2013, when he finished seventh in the Cy Young Award voting and threw the clinching pitch for the Red Sox in their World Series win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Though he throws from the right side, Uehara has a reverse split that's very effective against left-handed batters, holding them to a career .183 average. The Cubs need someone in the bullpen against lefties after losing left-hander Aroldis Chapman and likely Travis Wood. Lefty swingman Mike Montgomery could be moving to the rotation.

The Cubs will now have pitchers who were on the mound for the final out in three of the past four World Series: Uehara, Wade Davis and Montgomery.

White Sox, Holland Agree to One-Year Contract

Derek Holland understands the pivot toward youth by the White Sox and thinks he can thrive in Chicago.

"I wasn't too concerned. The whole thing is a process,'' the 30-year-old left-hander said Wednesday, after agreeing to a $6 million, one-year contract. "Whoever is there, I know they're going to be playing to win.''

Chicago already has traded ace Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox and outfielder Adam Eaton to the Washington Nationals. Other deals could be ahead.

While Holland plans to bring his boxer, Wrigley, to Chicago, he'll leave his five lizards and pet chinchilla at his home in Texas for now.

"You never know what's going to lie ahead," Holland said. "Who knows? I could go up there and have an unbelievable year and end up staying with Chicago."

Holland's deal includes $2 million in performance bonuses: $1 million each for 150 innings and 200 innings. He was 62-50 with a 4.35 ERA in eight seasons with the Rangers, who declined an $11 million option and chose to pay a $1.5 million buyout.

"It's just a crazy way that this is over," he said. "I can't believe it's done, but at the same time, it was a fun run with Texas. I got to make a lot of memories there. I had a great time."