All eyes are on Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai right now. With less than three days until Imai has to sign with a Major League team, most teams that are interested in the right-hander are likely in constant communication with super-agent Scott Boras. 

The Chicago Cubs -- who are rumored to be interested in Imai -- are almost certainly one of those teams. Considering his posting window closes on January 2 at 5 PM ET, a lot of the Cubs' focus right now is probably surrounding Imai. 

But what happens if the North Siders don’t land Imai? Who could they look to target this offseason instead? 

Here are three realistic options the Cubs could target in free agency if their pursuit of Imai falls short. 

Zac Gallen could very well be the Cubs’ backup plan if they don’t land Imai by Friday. Chicago is reportedly interested in the 30-year-old, and his next contract won’t cost as much as some of the remaining top pitchers on the free agent market. 

Gallen is coming off the worst season of his career, in which he finished with a 4.83 ERA across 192 innings pitched. That career-worst ERA could lead to him signing a contract of less than $20 million per season. Spotrac has the right-hander’s market value set for just $18.7 million. 

The veteran just feels like the Cubs' secondary target. He had a poor 2025 season, which means his value is significantly down. That’s usually when Chicago’s front office steps in because, in their eyes, they could be getting the Gallen that finished top-5 in National League Cy Young voting in both 2022 and 2023 for a lower price. 

The Cubs appear to be looking for one more pitcher to join their roster for the 2026 season. With Justin Steele still working his way back from elbow surgery, Chicago could target a pitcher like Lucas Giolito in free agency. 

He would cost around the same price as Gallen on a per-year basis, but the former Red Sox pitcher might only want a two to three-year deal. That could appeal to what the Cubs want. Spotrac predicts Giolito to sign a three-year, $61 million contract this offseason. 

That feels like the perfect price for a pitcher who finished with a 3.41 ERA and 121 strikeouts in his first season back from elbow surgery. He also used to live in Chicago while playing for the White Sox from 2017 to 2023. That familiarity with the city could help the Cubs land him.  

The Cubs don’t necessarily need to add another starting pitcher this winter. If they don’t land Imai and the price tag of pitchers like Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, and Gallen is too high, using that money to sign a top-tier bat makes a lot more sense. 

Chicago already has a rotation that will feature Cade Horton, Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, and Colin Rea. Then, Steele will be added to that group once he is healthy enough to pitch in Major League games. 

Therefore, the Cubs could very well choose to leave the rotation as is if Imai decides not to come to the Windy City.