MLB free agency: Cubs meeting with Yu Darvish

The Cubs will be meeting with top free-agent starter Yu Darvish, sources told Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

Bruce Levine of 670 The Score first reported that Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and executive vice president/general manager Jed Hoyer. Levine said the two Cubs executives flew to Dallas and that a meeting was “likely” between them and Darvish.

The Cubs are looking for a frontline starter both via free agency and trade after former ace Jake Arrieta decided to explore free agency as well. Darvish and Arrieta are considered to be the best starters on the market this offseason. The Twins and the World Series champion Astros are also interested in Darvish. Heyman says other possible starters the Cubs could go after are Arrieta, Alex Cobb, Chris Archer, Lance Lynn and Danny Duffy

Last year, Darvish posted a 10-12 record with a 3.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 209 strikeouts over the course of 186 2⁄3 innings between the Rangersand the Dodgers. After being acquired at the non-waiver deadline by the Dodgers, Darvish helped the club get to the World Series by winning games in both the NLDS and NLCS, but had two disastrous starts in the Fall Classic, including Game 7.

If the Cubs can land Darvish, they will be getting a pitcher who has been an All-Star in four of his six years in the majors. Darvish was also a runner-up for the AL Cy Young in 2013. In addition, he will team up with Jon Lester, Jose Quintana, Kyle Hendricks and newly signed starter Tyler Chatwood.

The Cubs will also add their fifth pitcher of the offseason, as they also signed Chatwood and fellow starter Drew Smyly plus relievers Brandon Morrow and Steve Chisek.