Chicago offseason news: Cubs decline option on Fujikawa, White Sox decline option on Paulino

The Chicago Cubs have declined their $5.5 million option on reliever Kyuji Fujikawa, according to Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune. Fujikawa will be paid a $500K buyout as he hits free agency.

Fujikawa signed a two-year deal with the Cubs in December 2012. The first two years of the contract paid Fujikawa $9 million, but Chicago's decision to decline the $5.5 million option comes as no surprise. In two years with the Cubs, Fujikawa pitched a total of 25 innings, posting a 5.04 ERA. Chicago brought in Fujikawa following a 12-year career in Japan, in which he posted a 1.77 ERA in 562 games.

Across town, the White Sox have decided to decline the $4 million option on pitcher Felipe Paulino, according to Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors.com. The White Sox signed Paulino to a one-year, $1.75 million deal last December. With the club option being declined, Paulino will receive a $250K buyout.

Paulino only appeared in four games for the White Sox, spending most of his time on the disabled list with shoulder issues. For his career, Paulino has posted a 5.22 ERA over 97 games.