MLB Hot Stove signings: Cubs sign reliever Koji Uehara to a one-year deal

The 41-year-old former closer heads to Chicago as a free agent

As expected, the Cubs on Wednesday announced that they've signed right-handed reliever Koji Uehara to a one-year contract. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, the contract was previously reported to be worth $4.5 million for 2017.

Uehara, 41, has pitched to a deeply impressive 170 ERA+ and 7.91 K/BB ratio across parts of eight seasons in the U.S. major leagues. Last season for the Red Sox, he put up an ERA of 3.45 (133 ERA+) and a K/BB ratio of 5.73 in 50 appearances.

After a 10-year career with Japan's Yomiuri Giants, Uehara made the leap to MLB by signing a free-agent deal with the Orioles prior to the 2009 season. In 2013 for the Red Sox, Uehara finished seventh in the AL Cy Young balloting and was named ALCS MVP. The following year, he made his only All-Star appearance.

In Chicago, Uehara figures to be one of the primary right-handed setup men behind closer Wade Davis. Uehara also has closing experience himself, as demonstrated by his 93 career saves.