Chang-Yong Lim is reportedly close to signing a split contract with the Chicago Cubs, according to a report by Joongang Ilbo.  Lim received a number of offers from teams in the NPB and MLB last month and narrowed his options down to four before deciding on the Cubs.  Source: Joongang Ilbo 12/13/2012

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Hisanori Takahashi closed out his workouts in Kanagawa today.  He will likely return to the US within the next few days.  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/13/2012

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Kyuji Fujikawa plans to attend Cubs Convention (January 18-20) if his visa clears in time.  Source: Sponichi 12/13/2012

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Joe Furukawa was named the 2012 Harold McKinney Good Guy Award winner.  From MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan:

ARLINGTON -- Rangers scout Joe Furukawa has been named the 2012 Harold McKinney Good Guy Award winner by the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Furukawa, a Pacific Rim international scout for the Rangers, worked closely with pitcher Yu Darvish in the right-hander's first Major League season in 2012. As part of his duties, Furukawa served as Darvish's interpreter for all press conferences and media availabilities.