CHICAGO, IL – National insiders are intensifying pressure on the Chicago Cubs front office, urging President Jed Hoyer to abandon his conservative spending habits this offseason. Leading the charge is ESPN’s Jeff Passan, who has identified Japanese starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai as the “perfect move” to revitalize the Cubs’ rotation without sacrificing future assets.
Passan argues that Imai (the main character in this trade rumor) presents a unique, draft-pick-free opportunity that the Cubs, whose projected payroll is around $150 million, cannot afford to ignore if they genuinely want to catch the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers.
The Pitch: Why Imai is the “Perfect Transaction”
The cornerstone of Passan’s argument hinges on the combination of Imai’s age and his availability without the penalty of a Qualifying Offer (QO):
| Argument Point | Detail | Significance for Cubs |
| Draft Pick Free | Imai is being posted by the Seibu Tigers (posted date confirmed by Scott Boras for Nov. 19), meaning the Cubs would not lose a high draft pick. | Avoids the complication tied to top-tier QO free agents like Framber Valdez and Dylan Cease. |
| Age & Value | Imai is 27 years old (turning 28 in May) and entering his prime, aligning with the Cubs’ preference to avoid paying pitchers for “past-their-prime years.” | The Cubs would be buying “future value” rather than historical performance. Imai posted a 1.92 ERA with a 27.8% K-rate in 2025 in the NPB. |
| Financial Flexibility | The Cubs have significant financial room to maneuver. Passan notes: “It’s just money, and seeing as the Cubs don’t spend a whole lot of that… now seems the right time to splurge a little.” | MLB Trade Rumors projects Imai could command a six-year, $150 million guarantee. |
The Uncomfortable Truth for Hoyer
Passan recognizes that a move of this magnitude would force the Cubs’ front office to act against its recent trends. The last time the Cubs signed a pitcher to a nine-figure deal was Yu Darvish in 2018, a deal believed to have caused the current reluctance to spend heavily on pitching.
- The Sticking Point: Imai’s value and the involvement of super-agent Scott Boras mean the bidding could quickly reach an uncomfortable nine-figure price point (estimated by insiders in the $140–$150 million range, plus a $20+ million posting fee).
- The Dare: The analyst argues that with the Cubs yet to take the NL Central crown, they must be “willing to do the uncomfortable thing this offseason”—spending big on a high-upside pitcher—to sustain a championship-level rotation.
Despite the Cubs’ recent tendency to pursue pitchers like Shōta Imanaga or Matthew Boyd on short, team-friendly deals, sources suggest the front office is considering making a “huge investment” in Imai, recognizing that their starting rotation needs an undeniable ace to lead the charge.
Imai is viewed as one of the best available pitchers. Would you like to check the latest news on the other top pitching target, Shōta Imanaga, and his decision regarding the Qualifying Offer?
