So it actually happened: The Cubs bolstered their rotation by signing Japanese ace Yu Darvish to a six-year, $126 millio guaranteed contract. In terms of value, that $21 million AAV pegs Darvish as a 2.6-3.0 fWAR pitcher for the next six years.
MLB Trade Rumors predicted at the start of the offseason that Darvish would sign for $160 million over six years, so the actual deal represents a relative bargain. The fact that the Cubs were able to land him for $34 million less in guaranteed money points to just how goofy this offseason has truly been. That’s actually a huge steal.