Madrigal gets creative to woo Suzuki to Chicago

MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs made an aggressive pitch to free agent slugger Seiya Suzuki. Members of the front office, ownership and even manager David Ross flew to Los Angeles for a dinner earlier this week. Suzuki went to Chicago to see Wrigley Field and explore the city.

And Nick Madrigal whipped up some funny recruiting signs.

"I don't want to take all the credit," Madrigal quipped.

Madrigal and Suzuki share the same agent, Joel Wolfe, who told media on Friday about the second baseman's efforts behind the scenes. Madrigal sent the Japanese slugger a couple photos to do his part in swaying him toward the Cubs.

In one picture, Madrigal is holding up two pieces of paper. The one in his right hand reads: "Seiya Suzuki + Cubs = World Series." The sign in his left hand reads: "COME TO CHICAGO!"

Another sign includes two stick figures, representing Madrigal and Suzuki. The drawing of "Suzuki" includes biceps and a Cubs hat. Above the drawings, Madrigal wrote: "Cold weather not bad."

Ross laughed when asked what Madrigal would get for helping with the recruiting process.

"Well, I'm going to get him some art lessons," Ross joked. "I love that one of the pictures said 'World Series' on it. That Cubs plus Seiya is going to produce a World Series. I think that's a good place to start. It worked. I don't know what kind of bonus Nicky gets for that."

On Friday, the Cubs announced that they signed Suzuki to a five-year contract. The deal is worth $85 million, plus a $14.625 million posting fee for the Hiroshima Carp.

"Nick's the one that actually locked it down," Wolfe said with a laugh.