As we’ve noted here more than once, the reports regarding Yu Darvish to this point have been fraught with innuendo and speculation. That’s why the Cubs signing a backup catcher to a minor-league deal Monday night was akin to Mrs. O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern.
Then came word that the Cubs were in “active talks” with Darvish, which understandably gave more weight to his close relationship with his former teammate. As we learned from Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Darvish indeed has an affinity for Gimenez after working together a dozen times in 2014 and also during the pitcher’s Tommy John rehab.