TRADE BUZZ: Cubs reach deal with rumored Giants free-agent target

The SF Giants took a swing at signing three high-level Japanese free agents this winter. Posted Yokohama DeNa BayStars left-handed starting pitcher Shōta Imanaga (#12-ranked free agent ) has agreed to a deal with the Chicago Cubs, according to a report by Bob Nightengale of USA Today. 

Sankei Sports’ had reported that the Giants and Angels were the “final candidates” to sign Imanaga earlier this week. However, it seems like the Giants were once again simply rumored to be in the lead for a top free agent.

Part of the belief in the Giants’ chances was that their failed pursuits of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, both of whom landed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, made them determined to land at least one of the prized Japanese free agents. With Imanaga’s posting window set to expire Thursday, there was time pressure to get a signing done, one that hasn’t existed thus far for the glacially-slow domestic free-agent market.

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