Yu Darvish is leaving the Cubs on a high note.
He, and catcher Victor Caratini, will be headed to San Diego in exchange for Zach Davies and four prospects, according to multiple reports. The trade had yet to be finalized as of Tuesday morning.
While most of the Cubs’ hitting core struggled in a pandemic-altered short season, Darvish thrived. He finished second in NL Cy Young voting, with an 8-3 record and career-best 2.01 ERA.
The Cubs ace’s dominance was a continuation of his second-half performance in 2019. It was also a complete turnaround from the injury-laden and inconsistent first year and a half he spent in Chicago.
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Just as Darvish was peaking in value, the Cubs traded him. Exactly what the Cubs got in return will become clearer as the Cubs’ newest farm-system additions develop over the next few years.
In the meantime, the move also gives president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer flexibility within the budget “range” he received from Cubs ownership. Hoyer wouldn’t divulge budget specifics, but he acknowledged last month that this year is “a challenging year from a budgeting standpoint, for 30 teams and probably millions of businesses around America.”
But before the ink is dry on the trade paperwork, it’s time to reminisce on some of Darvish’s best moments in Cubbie blue: