When you look at the money the Yankees paid Gerrit Cole this winter, having Yu Darvish at $21 million AAV seems like a steal. Even better, Darvish could have exercised his opt-out after last season and it’s entirely possible he would have earned a larger contract on the open market. Instead, he chose to remain with Chicago.
Now he may be primed for a pretty big season and is a dark horse Cy Young contender.
The veteran righty entered camp as the Cubs’ ace based on a huge second half in which he was as dominant as any pitcher in baseball.