Cubs GM Hoyer likes initial off-season moves — now that he’s finally started
It's Cubs Convention weekend at the Sheraton Grand Chicago and much of the focus has been on what Jed Hoyer hasn't done with the roster.
As in, he hasn't signed a premium free agent bat (or two) like Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman or Rhys Hoskins.
The Cubs' president is well aware of the outside criticism and the jokes about his relative lack of activity thus far.
Hoyer has also seen a picture of the mocking digital highway sign that made an appearance in Chicago: “USE YOUR TURN SIGNAL WHEN MAKING MOVES. UNLESS YOU’RE JED HOYER. JUST START MAKING MOVES.”
“I know what people are saying,” Hoyer said with a laugh. “But my focus is on doing good deals.”
There were a pair of deals heading into Cubs Convention, and Hoyer obviously likes both of them.
First, Shota Imanaga came over from Japan on a four-year, $53 million contract that includes an option for a fifth year and bump to $80 million.
The 30-year-old starting pitcher was 7-4 with a 2.80 ERA in 22 starts last season with the Yokohama BayStars in Japan’s Central League. In 148 innings, Imanaga had 174 strikeouts and 24 walks.
Introduced right before Cubs Convention opened on Friday, Imanaga got off to a good start while displaying his sense of humor.
“Hey, Chicago,” the left-hander said in English. “What do you say? Cubs are going to win today.”
Through a translator, Imanaga addressed making the transition from pitching the last eight years in Japan to the major leagues. “I want to be an adaptable pitcher,” he said. “Sometimes the situation might call for me to pound the zone with the fastball, sometimes the situation might call for a lot of breaking balls. But I don’t want to be one style. I want to be adaptable.”
New manager Craig Counsell expects Imanaga to fit right into the Cubs' rotation.
“In everything that I’ve watched and when you look through the stat line, this is a very skilled pitcher,” Counsell said. “His skill level is going to allow him to make the necessary adjustments. He can pitch like he’s been pitching and be fine, but you know he’s going to want to do things and tweak things and learn from the league. The skill level is going to allow him to do that.”
Second, Michael Busch was acquired in a trade with the Dodgers. Veteran relief pitcher Yency Almonte joined him in the Thursday deal that sent prospects Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope to Los Angeles.
Busch hit .323/.431/.618 with 27 home runs and 90 RBI in 98 games for Class AAA Oklahoma City last season. In three stints with the Dodgers, the infielder slashed .167/.247/.292 and had 2 homers and 7 RBI in 27 games.
“He's ready for the big leagues, so he's going to get a shot,” Counsell said. “There's no question about it. He's done everything you could possibly do in minor-league baseball. He's ready for a major-league shot.”
The question is, at what position?
The 26-year-old Busch, best known for his powerful left-handed bat, primarily played third base last year. He can also play first base, second and left field.
“I think first base is obviously a natural spot for him,” Hoyer said. “He's played there a lot, but certainly his versatility is also attractive. Obviously in the minor leagues, he's performed incredibly well. He's going to hit right-handed pitching, I have no question about that.”