Yu Darvish Rumors: Cubs, Dodgers, Twins, Astros Interested In MLB Free Agent

Seven weeks after the conclusion of the 2017 World Series, MLB’s best free agents remain unsigned. That includes Yu Darvish, who played about as big of a role as anyone in the final outcome between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Darvish was simply awful in the World Series, registering just five outs while allowing four earned runs in each of his two starts, including Game 7 at Dodger Stadium. That hasn’t stopped the right-hander from being pursued by the likes of the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins, among others, this offseason.

Cubs’ president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer spoke with Darvish in Dallas Monday for what Darvish called a “very good meeting.” With 2015 Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta likely to leave the Cubs in free agency, Darvish could fill a much-needed spot in the rotation.

Chicago has already signed starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood in free agency. He joins a staff that will include Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and Jose Quintana in 2018.

The Cubs’ biggest competition could potentially come from a team that isn’t known for being a big spender. Minnesota ranked 22nd in payroll to start last season, though they nearly made a run to the playoffs with 85 wins. After signing Michael Pineda to a two-year contract, the Twins are considering giving a lucrative deal to arguably the best starter on the market.

“We want to make sure that the player and his team understand that we want to be part of discussions and we have targeted him as somebody we have tremendous interest in,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said last week, via MLB.com. “Where that's going to go, where the market's going to go, what we're able to do, how far other teams are willing to go, you know, things you can't control.”

The Texas Rangers, who traded Darvish to the Dodgers before the trade deadline, don’t seem to be a real player to bring back the 31-year-old. Los Angeles general manager Farhan Zaidi said the team was having discussions with Darvish last week, according to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick.

After having their way with Darvish in the World Series, the Astros have shown interest in the pitcher, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. One Houston player told Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci that Darvish was tipping his pitches in the Fall Classic.

In 131 career starts since making his MLB debut in 2012, Darvish is 56-42 with a 3.42 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He’s a four-time All-Star and was the runner-up for the 2013 AL Cy Young award.