Chicago Cubs could return to Japan for IMPACT ADDITION

Chicago Cubs could return to Japan for IMPACT ADDITION

Do the Cubs return to Japan for an impact edition? Let’s go. You are Locked on Cubs, your daily Chicago Cubs podcast, part of the Locked on Podcast Network. Your team every day. You are Locked On Cubs, part of the Locked On Network. Now, the number one sports podcast network, we are your team every day. Alongside Sam Olber, I’m Matt Cozy. Sam and I are lifelong fans taking our passion into discussion with you on all things Cubs. Today’s episode is brought to you by Game Time. Download the Game Time app, create an account, use code locked on MLB for $20 off your first purchase. Awards week this week uh continues on. across Major League Baseball. Later in the show, we review the case for Kate Horton for Rookie of the Year. And uh we we really start though, also why or could the Cubs need a right-handed hitter who could play first, third, or DH? And we start with a trio of Japanese players who are are could be three really impactful guys uh through the Japanese posting system this off season. All three have been connected the to the Cubs not necessarily in reporting but just in those like prediction pred projection type exercises. The Athletic has done a bunch. ESPN really those are the main ones. fan graphs, MLP trade rumors. Uh, one of these guys has been connected to the Cubs more than the other two. And I think we should discuss him last. Yeah. How it ties in with the Cubs need uh for for someone right-handed who could play first. And that’s Akamoto, who also is coincidentally or not uh the less expensive of all three of these guys. Not coincidental. So, let’s start with the top two and Morakami and Amay Sam because they’re going to get big deals. Uh Morakami is a left-handed hitting third baseman. He’s at 30 plus homers in five of his seven years with the NPB. And this past year, he didn’t hit that many homers due to an oblique injury, but he hit 22 in only 56 games. It’s It’s almost like laughable what he’s up to. Uh he’s only 25 years old. Wow. uh his strikeout rate might pose a concern. A little more numbers on that later. Uh some some questions in some of these reports about his ability to handle velocity, how he handles velocity. Well, and that’s the rub with typically with Japanese players, right, is can they catch up to VO, right? Um he was Marami was posted on Saturday, so the clock is ticking for him already. He’ll need to sign with the team by December 22nd. Sam, what what have you seen from Morakami and and you know big raw power, but there could be some risks, too. Here’s why it’s a stay away for me. Um, okay, we’ve talked about this team and and what their needs are. I’m only floating in the power only department if the name is Kyle Schwarber. Um because of the other stuff that that brings to the table. Um let me let me give you a statistic with Murakami. Uh uh do you know what his batting average was uh uh la last season on pitches 93 or or harder? Uh, I’m going to say it was maybe below 250. Yeah, it was 095. No way. Yeah, it’s 095. So, um, you know, got that got that from from a variety of sites. Uh, uh, confirming um, struck out a lot. This guy profiles a lot to me. When I was reading up on him, there was one name that came to mind in the big leagues um, and that was Joey Gallow. Do you remember him? Yes. Had some big home run years, but I just I I don’t think this fit makes a whole lot of sense. And then I looked at what he was projected to get, which is about five I What did you see? I said I saw between five and six years and a 150 160 million. So I took all the athletic projections and they had him eight years 158. Okay. So So yeah. So that’s going to be a uh John Stockton. Uh, that’s gonna be a Magic Johnson. That’s gonna be an Arvdus Sabonis pass for me. Really? Wow. Well, and his it’s gonna be a pass for me. And his strikeout rate was was 26%, Chris Paul, you name it, I’m passing it. So 26 strikeout rate in Japan percent strikeout rate with and that’s without the VO that you referencing. Yeah, that’s a legit legit concern because that that percentage would rank him in the top 20 here. Yeah, in Japan with more more more VO, more spin, more stuff. Um, just doesn’t feel like a fit in this lineup. Doesn’t doesn’t feel like a fit, especially uh when Wrigley Field has become, you know, sort of a physics project over there. And um so so you have a guy with raw power, great, but he strikes out a lot and we don’t know if he could play the field. The Cubs don’t need that right now. Um unless you know I I could be persuaded into Schwarber, Sam, you might have to do a little more persuading for me, but um yeah, I think the Mets and Yankees will be really in on Morakami and they could have them, right? Uh, Amay posted a 192 RA in 163 innings last year. He’s played nine years in the NPB. He’s 27, right-handed pitcher, mid90s fastball, five or six pitches. Yeah. Uh, all the big names will be in the mix there. I don’t I don’t know if the Cubs are going to be in the mix. The Athletic listed the Cubs in the mix at eight years, 190. You’re telling me the Cubs are going to sign a starting pitcher to a ninef figure deal this off season? I almost would want to put like some kind of hyperbolic statement next to that. Like if they sign a starting pitcher to a ninef figure deal, I you know what? I don’t know. I would maybe camp out in the snow. I I just I don’t know. Well, he’s an attractive pitcher, sure, but I don’t think they’re going to play in that market. Well, I mean, Dylan CE would be nine figures, wouldn’t it? Yeah, I don’t think they’re going to get him. Okay. Um, all right. Hold on. So, for me, I’d like to go in a different direction here. Yeah. I wouldn’t be like I’d be pretty surprised if they signed a guy. What’s nine figures? 100 million. Just want to make sure we’re on the same page. Okay. Yeah. Uh uh I I mean I’d be surprised. I wouldn’t be like absolutely shocked, but I’d be shocked if it was an unknown type of a you know of a pitcher that you right that has a major league resume. Yeah. I I think if you’re going to invest those type of dollars, which eight years 190 would be the biggest contract ever given out in this franchise’s history. Um Oh, that’s so that’s true. So I don’t think you know they go that route. the it’s it’s um I would say I’m like 99.9% sure Murakami is not a fit. Probably would go down to like 70 75% um on on how imi how do I say it? Am I um but there is an absolute fit uh uh when talking about uh uh Japan and and I know we’re going to get there. I don’t have anything to add. I don’t have anything to add on these two players. I just, you know, I I am glad Marakami’s clock started so we don’t have to wait till like February to get him signed. Yeah. I mean, and look, that could help the market. The pitching market. I mean, you look at the success of Imanaga, it it was up and down um for last year. Uh Sanga’s been great uh when he’s been able to be on the field. And then of course, Yamamoto is uh you know, in my opinion, as of right now, has the title belt of best pitcher in the world. Um, yeah. No, it’s good. So, so it’s you do have a little bit more of um, you know, trust in the pitching market, but I still think the Cubs are going to end up trading for a pitcher and, and I just I I don’t think they’re going to spend that type of money. I I didn’t realize it was eight years, 190. I thought it was less. I I I thought it was more in in like the five, six, like 120 range. I didn’t realize this guy’s going to get 190. It’s because he’s so young. Yeah. Well, and the Athletic had a lot of lower projections last year. Basically, every team in reality beat them. So, I think they’re kind of playing playing up playing their cards a little higher. Yeah. Because after after last winter. All right. Well, let’s talk about Okamoto then and his fit on this Cubs team and and if it’s not him, why they they really need a player like this. Uh anyway, coming up next, this episode is brought to you by a fan duel. Well, the NBA is back and there’s no better place to get in on the action than FanDuel, the official sports book betting partner of the NBA. Even if you miss the start of the game or want to ride the hot hand, FanDuel has live bets on everything from who will score next to fourth quarter comebacks. Plus, you can combine your live bets into a same game parlay for a shot at a bigger payout. It keeps every game exciting, especially when your team’s making that late push. Speaking of making that late push, not once, not twice, not three times, for the fourth time this season, the Chicago Bears have made a late push to go six and three. And I I got to tell you, the fan in me is thinking, well, how fun is this? Uh Caleb Williams is making tremendous strides and progress under Ben Johnson, but the fan dual gambler in me is thinking, is there going to be some value betting against this team down the stretch? Are they a good football team? Um, you can’t argue with six and three, but man, at times it just looks a bit disjointed and a lot of late comes. It kind of reminds me of the 2001 Bears. I was a young pup for that. Mike Brown walking off on pick sixes. Shane Matthews throwing hail Marys against the Cleveland Browns. Uh, right now, FanDuel is giving new customers $300 in bonus bets when your first $5 bet wins. So, head to fanduel.com to sign up and play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Thank you for making Locked On Cubs your first listen of the day and thank you for making Locked On the number one sports podcast network. All right, Akamoto is the last of the trio of potentially impact players for the Japanese posting system this off season. Akamoto is a right-handed hitter. He could play both first and third. Scouts view him as a first baseman, though he played a lot more third this past year. While he doesn’t have as much upside as Morakami and he’s older, 29 years old, Akamo Akamoto struck out in only 11% of his plate appearances this past year, has pretty solid power, great contact. Uh we already discussed the concern with Japanese hitters. Always can they catch up to VO? But Sam, the Athletic projects Okamoto for a contract of four years at 78 million and as a safety net for Matt Shaw third as a sometimes platoon partner for Michael Bush and he could be penciled in at DH. This might this might happen. This is the fit. This is the fit that makes the most sense out of the three guys we’ve talked about. Um first of all, this guy, you know, um you think, oh, I don’t know, btoball guy. Well, he hit 41 home runs a couple years ago. Um, so he he he’s got power. Um, he doesn’t strike out a a ton. Um, the the strikeouts, they did go down a lot this year. Um, and he didn’t play in a ton of games this year. I think he only played like 80 games. Oh, that’s right. Yeah, about half a year. Yeah. So, he he didn’t play a ton. He had 322 when he played. Have that down here. Um, I mean, I I I think there’s always going to be holes. There’s always going to be mystery um when when you go get a player that hasn’t played in the big leagues yet. This one feels like the safest bet slash the best fit for what this Cubs team needs. Um the only question is is the price because I I’m not even sure he’s going to be handed an everyday everyday job here, right? Um so, and would he even want to do that? You know, would you give give him nine figures to your point um for that? you know what what what does his contract look like? You know, if it’s something if it’s something in the say a range or a little bit less, you know, that’s something maybe you think about, but you know, if somebody’s going to give him big dollars, then, you know, again, I hate to to to continue to repeat myself. The Cubs just won’t be competing with teams that are looking to give out big long-term contracts like that uh this off. Well, and for a guy who has a lead status over there and is revered, uh, I don’t think that’s the right term, but anyway, for for someone that’s that, you know, is is viewed highly, would he really want to take a part-timeish role when he when he lands here? Yeah, I mean, my guess he’d started I first of all, he’s not starting at first. Uh, my guess is he’d start at third base, right? That’d be my guess. Then he would start at first against lefties, maybe. Yeah. And then Yeah. I couldn’t find his his numbers verse lefties. Um I don’t know if you I don’t know how to I don’t have that. Yeah, it’s hard to find. It feels like pretty important. Um but but if he starts at third, then I go back to Jed’s press conference and him talking about the identity of this team being defense and if you’re going to have a big drop off there. Yeah. You know what I mean? Right. It’s hard to see them committing to that type of drop off if that’s the hallmark of their team. Yeah. I I I would say which it is. I and I I still think he’s the best fit because of the bat to ball, the average, the positional stuff. Um, but it doesn’t mean because he’s the best fit that means they’re going to get him. Uh, I just think if they were to get one of these three players, this would be the most likely that they get. Do you think the Cubs need a right-handed hitter who could play some first and third? 100%. Okay. 100%. I mean, on Friday, I said my biggest need for this team is another bat. Um, and that that more replaces Kyle Tucker, by the way, are we as a show can we as a show move on? Like, is Kyle Tucker out the door? Is Well, let’s Why don’t we do that for tomorrow? Is he done? Is it Is it Is it Is it a done deal? Let’s do it for tomorrow, you know? Yeah, I think I think we should we should explore that more because you’re right. I’m seeing stuff like 11 for 400, right? And then and then I’m seeing stuff like John basically all it’s all gone. And so I if we’re operating under an assumption that Kyle Tucker is gone and I think this team needs another prime time bat, like another elite level bat and then another utility bat because don’t forget Matt, they got to rebuild this bench. No, of course. What What was And I know I’ve gotten off topic here, but but the last game of the season, right? What did the bench look like? Turner, Elcantra, Magguire. You mean you mean in the division series, right? Yes. Alcantra, Castro, Maguire. Yeah. And I think there was one more, right? Because they kept an extra position player in the playoffs. Yeah. That’s an awful bench byos, the fifth guy. Right. Right. Right. Right. Yeah, that was their bench. Yeah. Yeah. They need a better bench offensively. Okay. Well, that’s what we said last year, too. So, uh, yeah, I think they do need someone there, too. And we were right. And, and you know, we’ve done trivia on it multiple times. They’ve had a ton of guys start a game at both at both first and third since 2021. And right now, it’s it’s less about the revolving door than it is about matchups because you have two guys who you who could in theory play there for for many years. and Bush and Shaw. But Shaw against righties last year hit 218 and Bush against lefties hit 207. So if you’re telling me they’re going to invest a little more to bring in a guy that gives them some days, especially against tougher matchups, I I wouldn’t uh I wouldn’t disagree with that at all. Yeah. I I Okay, so I’m looking although the sacrifice in defense part is hard for me. Estimated contract range here I’m seeing for Okamoto. Yeah. Athletic has four for 78. Yeah. And I’m seeing four for 68. So yeah, that that’s a deal the Cubs would sign. Okay. That’s right in their range right there. Break even. I mean, there’s no there’s really no other free agent fits like this. They would really be down the board of like true true bench players. Yeah. That could be a little more versatile and hit right-handed. And you’re not paying a guy four for 68 to come off the bench. No. Well, a lot of these guys would be clear one-year guys. Even like minor league deal guys, Sam, there’s there’s no other names like Okamoto. Like the next name would be like a Paul D. Young. He’s gonna get a million bucks. Oh, I just heard Tom smile. So, all right. Uh, yeah, we’re, you know, payroll talk this week. Cubs got got millions available to the first threshold. What was the fi where do they finish up final payroll? 11th and 25 for last year. Yeah. Yeah, I think it was 11th at 228. um go. So, I mean, if I doesn’t accept the qualifying offer, this team is going to literally have 73 million to the first threshold. And I think he’s going to, but it seems like I’m the only one that believes that. I think he’s going to accept it, too. Oh, okay. So, you you have you party of two there. All right. Party of two. Let’s get like a salad first. All right. Will Kade Horton win the rookie of the year? We uh discuss his case and more next. This episode is brought to you by Game Time. The NFL season is back and honestly, there’s nothing better than being in the stadium surrounded by fans cheering on your team. But let’s be honest, getting tickets can be a hassle between cues, login screens, and prices jumping at checkout. It’s frustrating. That’s why I use Game Time, the app that gives the advantage back to fans. Game time is fast, easy, and backed by the Game Time guarantee. You always get 100% authentic tickets delivered on time and at the best price. Plus, all fees are included, so the price you see is the price you pay. I pulled up Game Time, and in just a couple taps, I saw amazing deals. I’m talking about your favorite NFL games as low as $100. The app made it super simple. I could even see the exact few view for my seat before buying. So, please download the Game Time app, create an account, and use code lockdown MLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Again, that’s promo code L O C K D O N M LB for $20 off. Swipe, tap, ticket, go. Download Game Time today. Shout out to the everydayers. And you can become a locked on Cubs Everyday by joining us for every episode throughout the week. The National League Rookie of the Year will be announced on Monday night. Kate Horton, Drake Baldwin, and Caleb Durban are the three finalists. uh with a likely close vote there between Horton and Baldwin who slashed 274 341469 with 19 home runs, 80 runs batted in in 124 games. Horton finished with a 267 erra in 23 games, 97 strikeouts to 33 walks in 118 innings. Sam, I do think this is going to be a close vote. I hope Horton wins. Uh, something tells me I have a feeling he’s not going to win really, which would be too bad. But I I really hope he wins. And, you know, if he doesn’t win, he could, you know, we’re doing our own uh player awards later this week. You know, maybe he’ll win the locked on Cubs pitcher of the year award. You don’t think he’s going to win? No, I think they’re going to get it wrong and vote for Drake Baldwin. All right, so this is where I don’t like baseball because Okay, so I get it. So the case for Baldwin is I I I I I I did my homework for the show. He played like 120. way to add insult to injury. I think Horton’s going to finish third. Behind Caleb Durban. Yeah, I do. I thought it was Isaac Collins that was that was in the running there. He was for a while and so was um Patrick Kama Chad. Brewers with a lot of rookie contributors. Okay. So, okay. So, the Dodgers Baldwin played what about 125 games if I remember correctly, right? just gave a stat line, right? Yeah, he he had a good year. I get it. He did. At what point when it’s a close race? He’s a big bat, but he’s nothing special behind the plate as far as I know. Oh, he’s a good bat. He’s a good bat. He’s not a big bat. What are you at? 19 homers. Yeah. And 124 games. That’s Yeah. Yeah. You know, he’s a good bat. He’s good. At what point when it’s a close race between two players does team performance matter? Because if Kade Horton Kate Horton was the best pitcher on planet earth in in the second half until he got hurt and without him the Cubs are not a 92 win team. He carried the team. He carried the staff and and he was dominant and that should be enough to to win the Rookie of the Year award. Not I I get it. A guy that had a nice season as a catcher and I’m I’m calling his season it was a very nice season. No disrespect to Drake Baldwin. How he was on the most disappointing team in the National League. That’s the team that he was on. And I get it. It’s not his fault. Analytic people, I get it. I get it. It’s not his fault. I know. But at what point do you reward winning when it’s this close of a race? Um, well, I have a I have a question a lot back to you with that. Yeah, please. Well, is Paul SK not going to win over Sanchez and Yamamoto? It’s different. It’s different because Skins was so far. That’s clear. He He was the clear best pitcher in the regular season. This This is not clear to me. This is a tossup to me. And if you would include the postseason Yamamoto would win everything. He doesn’t need to win the Sai Young. He’s got a World Series MVP trophy hanging up in his regular season award. But I get what you’re saying. It is. Yeah. No, I you’re right. It’s a fair counter, but I don’t think the gap is that much. What does FanDuel have the current odds at? I’m going to look at that up. I haven’t looked into that in months. I would be shocked if Kate Horton wasn’t the favorite. Um, and it would really bother me. So, give me one sec here. I’ll get that. So, if he doesn’t win, you would be really bothered. Is that is that real or you being are you are you exaggerating? Well, no. I got too much on my mind to be seriously bothered about this. Well, no, but from a Cubs perspective. Yeah. Just like how I was bothered that Tatis won the platinum glove award. It made no Okay. It made no sense. If he’s a better outfielder than Pete, wouldn’t he play the most premium position? Right. You know, I and I get it. The counter to that is, well, what about what about um Aronado? you know, he’s the he was the best, you know, defensive player. He played third. I get it. It It’s fair. Um, hold on. I have it right here. Um, here it is. It’s coming right here. Um, what was this? Oh, I guess you’re right. I guess you’re right. Is Baldwin the favorite? Well, I can’t I can’t The first one I said had Horton at like minus 250, but now this one I think’s more mo more modern because I can’t find it on FanDuel, so I’m just googling it. Um, on October 1st, 2025, I have Horton at minus 275. Now, maybe that’s moved. Wow. Wow. Well, let’s We’ll find out Monday night. Oh, here it is. Here’s here’s Fandal. Minus 115 plus 130. Uh, so it’s basically dead even. You’re right. They’re gonna You’re right. You’re right. They’re going to give it to Baldwin. Well, and I have another nugget to frustrate us. Baldwin allowed a league leading 88 steels. All right, that’s the show. I do think we should talk about Kyle Tucker next episode. How how they’re already out of the race on him. They are. I have this I screenshotted from the Athletic last week to you. This is local reporting because some of these national guys I’m starting to put a little bit of tinfoil hats on with some of their commentary on the Cubs, but we have some clear local reporting here about the Cubs intentions on Tucker and uh it’s not it’s not very encouraging. Uh also deadline to accept the qualifying offer is next Tuesday, November 18th. We’ll see what SHO uh decides before then. All right. Anything else we besides a big Bearswood? Do you think the Bears are good? I do. You do? Okay. I do. Uh I do. I uh I don’t know yet. They need to win four. What is it? But I’m really excited about the development of the quarterback. They need to win what? Four out of their next eight to make the playoffs. Yeah, that sounds right. 10 and seven. Four and four. That’s nothing special. They should be able to do that. Yeah. Get get Cleveland for sure. Right. He’s Sam Oliver. I’m Matt Cozy. This is Locked On Cubs, part of the Locked On Network. Now the number one sports podcast network. your team every day.

Find out why the Cubs could be in the mix for one of the latest trio of Japanese players to transfer to MLB in Munetaka Murakami, Tatsuya Imai, and Kazuma Okamoto. Plus: Will Cade Horton win the NL Rookie of the Year?

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