With signing deadlines coming fast, the Cubs have a narrow opportunity to address key roster needs through Japan’s talent market.
Chicago Cubs fans are still waiting for a splash in free agency — whether that means landing a premier starting pitcher or adding a corner infielder who can truly change the look of the lineup.
So far this offseason, the Cubs have been linked to a handful of marquee names, but none of those rumors have materialized into a significant signing. The interest has been there. The results, not so much.
The latest name generating buzz is Alex Bregman, the three-time All-Star third baseman who has now been connected to the Cubs in back-to-back offseasons. Bregman remains a real possibility for Chicago, and the next few weeks could prove pivotal.
But he isn’t the only path to a major move.
Regardless of how the Bregman situation unfolds, by this time next week three Japanese stars — all recently posted by their NPB clubs — will have new homes in Major League Baseball. And each presents a different opportunity for the Cubs.
The most intriguing of the group is right-handed pitcher Tatsuya Imai of the Saitama Seibu Lions. The 27-year-old is coming off a career-best season in which he posted a dominant 1.92 ERA, firmly establishing himself as one of the top arms available to MLB teams this winter.
Once an NPB player is posted, MLB clubs receive a 45-day negotiating window to reach a deal. If no agreement is finalized by the deadline, the player returns to Japan and must wait until the following offseason to be posted again.
For Imai, that deadline is Friday, January 2 at 5 p.m. ET — and the deal must be official and processed through MLB’s transaction wire by then. Practically speaking, that means Imai would need to agree to terms by Thursday afternoon at the latest. A decision could come even sooner.
Then there’s Imai’s teammate, right-hander Kona Takahashi, also of the Saitama Seibu Lions. He'll need to have a deal finalized by Sunday, January 4 at 5 p.m. ET.
Takahashi will be 29 on Opening Day and does not arrive with the same pedigree or upside as Imai. The 2022 and 2023 seasons were the best of his now 11-year NPB career, and while he has been a steady producer overseas, his profile raises questions at the MLB level.
Takahashi is known for pinpoint control, but his fastball doesn’t miss many bats — a concern when projecting success against big-league hitters. He could carve out a role in the majors, but he profiles more as a back-of-the-rotation option than a true impact arm.
That’s not the kind of move Cubs fans are clamoring for. Still, if the front office is simply looking for affordable innings and right-handed depth, Takahashi could represent a low-risk addition.
The final name to watch is infielder Kazuma Okamoto of the Yomiuri Giants. Wherever he signs, Okamoto is likely to play third base.
He represents a higher-floor, lower-ceiling alternative to Munetaka Murakami — the powerful left-handed slugger who signed with the White Sox just before Christmas. Okamoto is older than Murakami at 29, with significantly more NPB experience.
While he did post a 41-home-run season in 2023, Okamoto’s game is built more on bat-to-ball skills than raw power. Expecting 30-plus home runs in MLB would be unrealistic, but a 15–20 homer profile with a strong batting average could translate quickly and provide immediate stability in the middle of a lineup.
For a Cubs team actively searching for an answer at third base, that kind of reliability has real value.
Okamoto also has a deadline of Sunday, January 4 at 5 p.m. ET.
The Cubs may still land Alex Bregman. They may not. But one thing is clear: the next few days represent one of the most important windows of the offseason for Chicago.
With Japanese posting deadlines closing fast, the front office has a chance to turn offseason patience into decisive action. Whether it’s an impact arm like Imai or a steady infield presence like Okamoto, this is a moment where opportunity meets urgency.
Cubs fans have been waiting for a move that signals real intent. The clock is ticking — and the next swing could define how this roster looks heading into 2026.