As Seiya Suzuki was going through his free agency process, he communicated with big leaguers who have already made the transition from Japan's NPB to Major League Baseball.
Including one former Cubs ace: Yu Darvish.
Suzuki, who met the media in Arizona Friday after his five-year deal with the Cubs was announced, said he talked to Darvish, Yoshi Tsutsugo and Shogo Akiyama about life in the United States.
Darvish gave a ringing endorsement about Chicago and the Cubs.
"[Darvish] told me the city is great, they have a really great fan base, and that I'm going to love it here," Suzuki told reporters through an interpreter.
Darvish, who pitched for the Cubs from 2018-21 before last offseason's trade to the Padres, and Suzuki share an agent, Joel Wolfe.
In fact, the Padres were among the reported suitors for the 27-year-old outfielder, who recently caught up with Darvish before his decision to sign with the Cubs.
Wolfe also represents Cubs infielder Nick Madrigal, and Madrigal made a recruiting pitch to Suzuki in artistic fashion.
The Cubs met with Suzuki Monday, a pitch that included team chairman Tom Ricketts.
"Their passion to get me on this team took me by heart," Suzuki said. "I'm very excited to be here."
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