Rumors Point One Way: Kaima Taira Is the Japanese Free Agent the Cubs Want To Sign

The latest wave of Japanese free agents presents the Chicago Cubs with several opportunities to address their roster needs heading into 2027, but one name is emerging as their preferred target. Both national and local rumors point to free agent pitcher Kaima Taira as the Cubs’ top choice among the players coming over from NPB this offseason.

Cubs Have Strong Interest In Kaima Taira

The Cubs are among several teams expected to be active in acquiring starting pitching this offseason, and while we’ve already seen many free agents linked to them, the connection to Taira has intensified over the past week. The latest report comes from Chicago baseball insider Bruce Levine, who indicated on Wednesday that the Cubs have strong interest in Taira.

The soon-to-be 27-year-old pitcher is an intriguing option for any team looking to add to its pitching staff, so competition for Taira will be fierce. The Cubs aren’t the only team in Chicago interested; the White Sox have also made it clear they want a shot at signing Taira.

Both clubs have recently succeeded in signing Japanese free agents, but the Cubs have come out on top in bidding wars for Seiya Suzuki and Shōta Imanaga, while the White Sox were among only a handful of teams that seriously considered signing Munetaka Murakami. Still, the Cubs can’t afford to take anyone lightly, and ultimately money may ultimately be the difference, as is the case with most free agents.

There’s been a lot of smoke around the Cubs and Taira, as his pitching profile is what MLB insiders believe is an ideal fit for the Cubs.

First, ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel mentioned the Cubs specifically in his write-up of the top 50 free agents.

Via ESPN.

The Red Sox, Nationals and Cubs all covet starters with velocity and big extension, and rivals think they at least have to investigate; I expect lots of interest around $50 million guaranteed and think there will be enough teams motivated to go higher to push to a fifth year. His posting fee for this contract would be $12.75 million, putting the full value at a little over $85 million.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jeff Passan landed on Taira being the perfect move for the Cubs this offseason. Fans may not like the reasoning as the Cubs have pretty much told fans that they will not be pursuing Tarik Skubal, and Taira will be part of their backup plan, but something is better than nothing.

Via ESPN.

“The perfect transaction: The Cubs need pitching, pitching and more pitching. Whether owner Tom Ricketts will provide the budget to fill those needs is the real question. Because as much sense as Skubal makes for the Cubs, the expectation is they won’t be especially involved. And as much as they need a closer, Bednar and Morejon might find themselves outside of the Cubs’ price range, too. (This is the part where we note the Cubs currently carry a $143 million payroll and have two outfield spots to fill as well.) If payroll constraints limit the Cubs to the best of the midtier starters, one brings the sort of high-octane stuff they are sorely lacking. Sign right-handed starter Kaima Taira.”

Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma reported earlier this week that the Cubs have done a lot of homework on Taira, including attending one of his starts in Japan during the regular season.

Via The Athletic.

“Another name to keep an eye on is Kaima Taira, a righty who has dominated NPB for many years and recently transitioned to starting. Taira, who turns 27 later this month, had a 1.36 ERA, 24.8 percent strikeout rate and 48.5 percent groundball rate in 146 innings with the Seibu Lions last season. He’s proven highly effective as both a reliever and starter, though the Cubs would seek his services, at least at first, for the latter.

The knock on the 5-foot-8 Taira would be his height and the fact he’s logged over 140 innings just twice in his eight NPB seasons, topping out at 150 in 2023. But he’s got upper-90s heat at a unique vertical approach angle and elite extension. The Cubs have done a lot of homework on Taira, and he’d be very intriguing for them if the bidding doesn’t get to unreasonable levels.”

Kaima Taira Contract Projections

Unlike some other big-name free agents coming over from Japan, Taira has a few more question marks that may affect his price tag. Despite still being relatively young, Taira has split his pro career between reliever and starter, posting only two seasons above 140 innings: 150 IP in 2023, 146 IP in 2026.

The talent isn’t a red flag, but there may be concerns over the 5-foot-8 pitcher’s durability. So, entering his age-27 season, Taira’s contract projections are somewhat tame compared to those of previous star Japanese pitchers.

Contract Projections

Keith Law (Athletic): 3 years, $54 million (18 million AAV)
MLB Trade Rumors: 4 years, $72 million ($18 million AAV)
Ben Clemens (FanGraphs): 3 years, $48 million ($16 million AAV)
Kiley McDaniel (ESPN): 5 years, $72.5 million ($14.5 million AAV)

Kaima Taira Scouting Report

Whatever MLB team signs Taira will, at the very least, get what many analysts believe will be a high-leverage reliever out of the bullpen. That’s his floor, and it could get expensive depending on how the bidding war goes, but of course any team interested in him is looking for Taira to reach his ceiling in the starting rotation.

Here’s what makes Taira unique and how he is projected to perform in MLB.

Via FanGraphs.

At a catcherly 5-foot-8, 220 pounds, Taira is a freaky, mold-breaking athlete with remarkable arm speed and pitchability considering how much effort it takes for him to throw as hard as he does. For a stout little guy, his stride down the mound is enormous. This drop-and-drive style delivery creates a flat angle on Taira’s elevated pitches, giving him the ability to miss bats at the belt with his fastball.

He can elevate his fastball, which averaged 95 mph and touched 99 in 2026, to his arm side, and mix in sinkers and changeups below that. To his glove side, he can command a low-90s cutter around the hands of lefty batters, and his slider finishes beneath them. His splitter, the pitch that garnered the most whiff and chase for him in 2026, drops beneath the zone entirely and should be a plus big league pitch. He fields his position well and exudes poise and confidence on the mound. The risk here is that Taira has had just one healthy and productive season as a starter, and now MLB teams targeting him have to decide whether they think he can repeat it. If he can, he’ll be a mid-rotation starter.

Marquee Sports Network analyst Lance Brozdowski broke down the rare qualities that Taira presents given his height and extension combo.

Kaima Taira contract projections: Keith Law (Athletic) – 3y $18m AAV MLB Trade Rumors – 4y, $18m AAV Ben Clemens (FanGraphs) – 3y, $16m AAV Kiley McDaniel (ESPN) – 5 y, $14.5m AAV 5-foot-8, 6.8′ extension, 4.9′ release height, with a 4S sitting 95.5 mph. 🤤 @MLBNetwork https://t.co/aPW3km4F5p

— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) November 5, 2026

While signing Taira may not be the most exciting move for the Cubs, he would be a great second or third addition heading into 2027. This roster needs as much high-upside pitching as possible, and Taira has several qualities that suggest he could provide great value for the Cubs.