Chicago lets Shota Imanaga walk, banking on a bolder offseason plan that hasn’t yet materialized.
According to multiple reports Tuesday morning, the Chicago Cubs are moving on from starting pitcher Shota Imanaga, who is now officially headed for free agency in a surprising turn of events.
The Cubs declined their option to extend Imanaga’s deal through a fifth season — a decision that triggered his right to exercise a $15 million player option for 2026. Instead, Imanaga chose to decline that as well, hitting the open market after just two years in Chicago.
Imanaga originally signed with the Cubs before the 2024 season on a creative, multi-layered contract that could have paid him $20.5 million in both 2026 and 2027, with an additional club option worth just over $17 million for 2028. It was a steep but fair structure for a pitcher of his caliber — and frankly, a bargain given his production.
Spotrac currently values Imanaga at roughly four years and $120 million — or about $30 million per season. By that measure, the Cubs were operating well below market rate for a mid-rotation arm that has performed at an All-Star level.
Imanaga’s rookie season in 2024 was nothing short of stellar: 15–3 with a 2.91 ERA and a well-deserved All-Star selection. In 2025, he wasn’t quite as dominant — finishing 9–8 with a 3.73 ERA — but he pitched through nagging injuries and still gave the Cubs valuable innings as a reliable, mid-rotation arm.
Across his first season and a half in the majors, Imanaga went 23–7 with a 2.98 ERA, 244 strikeouts, and a 131 ERA+ over 262.2 innings. That’s elite production at a discount price. Yes, the peripherals dipped late in 2025, and maybe the Cubs saw signs of regression — but it’s still hard to justify getting thinner on the mound by choice.
What the Move Signals
This feels less like a salary dump and more like a prelude to a major move. The Cubs aren’t tossing chairs overboard; they’re rearranging the deck.
By declining Imanaga’s option, Chicago creates both financial flexibility and rotation flexibility heading into the offseason. The front office — led by Jed Hoyer and backed by the Ricketts family — knows the pressure to upgrade is real. The Cubs fell short of the National League’s elite tier in 2025, and everyone from ownership down knows it’s time to act.
That’s why this decision likely sets up a big swing in free agency. Expect the Cubs to be in on top right-handed starters like Dylan Cease, a potential homecoming candidate, or possibly to explore the left-handed market with names like Framber Valdez or Ranger Suárez — both of whom would represent clear upgrades over Imanaga.
What Comes Next
The Cubs are expected to extend Imanaga a qualifying offer, which he’ll almost certainly decline. They’ll likely do the same for Kyle Tucker, setting up an opportunity to recoup draft-pick compensation if both players sign elsewhere.
It’s a subtle but strategic play — one that hints at a front office ready to restructure the framework of its roster.
If the Cubs don’t back this move up with a major addition, it’ll go down as another case of front-office overthinking — letting a proven arm walk without a clear upgrade in sight. Chicago already needs pitching help, and they'll need it even more if they fail to upgrade from Imanaga, but I'd bet on a big swing for a marquee arm.