With at least $45M in “Imanaga money” saved, the Cubs are eyeing the ground-ball specialist as an ideal match for their Gold Glove-winning infield, though other big names loom.
CHICAGO — Even if Shota Imanaga accepts the $22.025 million qualifying offer the Chicago Cubs submitted on Thursday, the team still has “plenty of room to operate” this offseason.
By declining the three-year, $57 million option that was in Imanaga’s original contract, the Cubs saved, at minimum, nearly $45 million in future commitments. If Imanaga declines the QO and lands elsewhere, the Cubs will have “more than enough money” to find an upgrade for his spot in the rotation.
That upgrade could be a significant one. MLB Trade Rumors released its expert free-agent predictions, and one analyst has the Cubs replacing Imanaga with an intriguing name: former Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suárez.
The projection for Suárez’s contract is five years, worth $115 million.
The “Perfect Fit” for Chicago’s Defense
While a $115 million deal would require the Cubs to reach a level of spending they haven’t touched for a pitcher since signing Yu Darvish, Suárez’s profile is one the Cubs’ front office loves.
In 26 starts last season, Suárez posted a 3.20 ERA while striking out over 23% of the hitters he faced.
He doesn’t have an overpowering fastball (sitting under 93 mph), but he excels at two things the Cubs value: limiting walks and, most importantly, preventing hard contact. With a career ground-ball rate over 50%, the Cubs would likely point to their 2025 Gold Glove-winning infield (led by Nico Hoerner) as the primary reason he would be an excellent fit for their rotation.
Suárez Isn’t the Only Big-Ticket Target
Suárez is not the only high-priced starting pitcher the Cubs have been linked to. Various experts have also mentioned the Cubs as potential suitors for:
- Framber Valdez (Free Agent, fmr. Astro)
- Tatsuya Imai (Japanese NPB star)
If the Cubs do spend big, the guess is that they might prefer Imai. Imai will turn 28 next May, and if the Cubs are going to “shell out big money” for a pitcher, it will likely be for one who has not yet reached age 30.
This all depends on Imanaga’s decision. If he accepts the qualifying offer, the calculus changes. The front office almost certainly “won’t happen” to spend big on another free-agent pitcher, but would likely still look to the trade market for a controllable, top-of-the-rotation arm.
