Even with Shota Imanaga back, the Cubs' rotation needs a major upgrade. The pursuit of a top pitcher remains crucial for future success.
The biggest question mark at the start of the offseason was whether Shota Imanaga would return to the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs first declined Imanaga's three-year, $57 million club option in early November, and then Imanaga declined his one-year, $15 million player option. With both of those options being rejected, it appeared the southpaw was headed for free agency.
However, Imanaga will remain with the team for the 2026 season after he accepted the Cubs’ qualifying offer on Tuesday afternoon. He will make $22.025 million on the qualifying offer this upcoming year and then enter free agency next offseason.
Getting Imanaga back for the 2026 season could prove to be a great deal for both sides. The Cubs get a pitcher who has shown he can be one of the top pitchers in baseball, and the left-hander gets to prove that he is worth top money on the free agent market next offseason.
His return to the Cubs, though, shouldn’t prevent the front office from still acquiring a top pitcher this offseason.
Before Imanaga accepted the qualifying offer, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer confirmed that pitching was going to be the team’s main priority this offseason. Even Cubs insider Bruce Levine envisions the team going after a “power arm.”
When speaking to a pool of reporters at the GM Meetings in Las Vegas, Hoyer said, “We’re gonna have an active offseason.. Largest focus will be on pitching, I think that’s obvious.”
That shouldn’t change even after Imanaga accepted the qualifying offer. The Cubs can’t rely on him to be that No. 1 or No. 2 in this rotation like they did last year. That ultimately cost them a spot in the National League Championship Series.
Therefore, starting pitching should remain a must for this team this offseason. Imanaga’s second-half struggles (5.17 ERA), mixed with Justin Steele’s potential late start to the season, mean the Cubs could use another arm in this rotation.
Additionally, three of the team’s current five starters are set to hit free agency next offseason. Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, and Jameson Taillon are all in the last year of their deals. So, signing a big arm like Dylan Cease or Framber Valdez would put this Cubs rotation in a better spot heading into 2025 and beyond.
Chicago can’t simply go into the 2026 season with the same rotation from last year. Imanaga and Boyd regressed in the second half, and the Cubs' pitchers just gassed out toward the end of the season.
The team desperately needed a No. 1 starting pitcher in last year’s playoff run, and that is still a need heading into the offseason. Even with Imanaga returning, there should be room to add a top starting pitcher.
It all depends on whether the Cubs will be willing to spend more money on their rotation. The front office has already spent $67 million on the pitching staff, and getting Imanaga and Steele back could be counted as "offseason acquisitions” in their eyes.