Cubs Among Teams Pursuing Kaima Taira

The Chicago Cubs are one of the few teams with multiple success stories coming from Japan. They are looking to add to that legacy.

The Cubs are one of a handful of teams that have been linked to Japanese right-hander Kaima Taira, according to Bruce Levine of WSCR (670 AM). Levine said the Cubs, Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres were among the teams that were scheduled to meet with Taira's agent, Scott Boras, at the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas.

Taira, who turns 27 on Sunday, sits just 5-foot-8 but is 209 pounds and has been compared to a mound version of Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk for his stout look. Taira is also the best pitching option in this year's class of players coming from Japan. He has good velocity on his four-seamer (95-97 mph) and cutter (92-94 mph) while also having a nice splitter, slider and changeup, while his curve could use a little work but is serviceable.

Pitching for the Seibu Lions in Nippon Professional Baseball, he posted a 1.36 ERA in 23 games and 146 innings, with a 7.9% walk rate and 24.8% strikeout rate.

The Cubs are casting a wide net for starting pitching as most of their rotation either left in free agency or is currently injured, including Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga.