Munenori Kawasaki signs with Cubs

Jun 8, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) walks past shortstop Munenori Kawasaki (66) and shortstop Ryan Goins (17) and left fielder Ezequiel Carrera (3) as they celebrate an 11-3 win over the Miami Marlines at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Munenori Kawasaki leaves Canada to join the Chicago Cubs.

According to FOX Sports’ Jon Morosi, the Chicago Cubs have signed former Toronto Blue Jays infielder Munenori Kawasaki.

Kawasaki, 34, is a four-year MLB player. He just completed his third season in Toronto and the other season was his rookie year as a member of the Seattle Mariners in 2012. He primarily played second base, third base or shortstop. Kawasaki is a career .234 hitter with one home run and 50 RBI over his MLB career, showcasing that he is nothing more than a utility player.

The infielder has been a spark plug in Toronto over the past few seasons. He was quite often seen as a pinch runner and when he was announced at the Rogers Centre, fans loved him even more. His antics has made him beloved by the fan base, as well as his teammates. He has been in various interviews where he has said things like, “I am Japanese” or other playful light-hearted statements.

For the Cubs who won 97 games a year ago, finishing behind the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals, Kawasaki gives them leadership and a good glove off the bench. The Cubs have had a fairly busy offseason already bringing in outfielder Jason Heyward, utility starter Ben Zobrist and pitcher John Lackey. They also made a bold move sending Starlin Castro to the New York Yankees in a trade for pitcher Adam Warren.

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