The Cubs are reportedly taking a shot on Taiwanese closer Jyun-Yue Tseng, with Chicago showing interest in the right-hander and apparently putting a minor league contract on the table along with an invite to spring training.
A report out of Taiwan earlier this week said a mystery National League Central team had reached out to Tseng. That team has now been identified as the Cubs, who are looking at the 24-year-old after a dominant run in the CPBL.
Tseng has built a strong track record since turning pro at 19. In his CPBL career from 2021-26, he posted a 2.36 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, 342 strikeouts, 91 walks, and 240.1 innings pitched, along with 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings.
His 2026 season pushed things up another level. Tseng gave up just 9 earned runs in 51.1 innings, struck out 65, walked 13, and set a career high with 25 saves for the Fubon Guardians.
The move would also bring Tseng into a smaller group of Taiwanese pitchers who have made real noise in the big leagues. Taiwan hasn’t produced many recent success stories, with Chien-Ming Wang and Wei-Yin Chen standing out as two of its most productive MLB players. Wang pitched from 2005-16, while Chen pitched from 2012-19.
Tseng isn’t a huge name on the international market, but the Cubs clearly see enough to take a closer look. And with a minor league deal, the risk is light if the goal is simply to get him stateside and see how his stuff plays against better competition.
On the scouting side, Tseng brings a mid-90s fastball that has touched 99 mph, plus a slider and a sweeper. At 5-foot-8, he’s not built like your typical power reliever, but the velocity is real.
He’s already handled big moments for Taiwan, too. Tseng pitched in the World Baseball Classic and was on the mound for Taiwan’s upset of South Korea in 2026. Before that, he delivered the save in qualifying to send Taiwan to the tournament.
So while this wouldn’t qualify as a headline-grabbing signing, it would give the Cubs a chance to bring in a proven CPBL closer and see whether his stuff translates in a new setting.
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