“He Was Our Standard”: Dansby Swanson Gives Emotional Tribute to Shota Imanaga After Pitcher’s Shocking Cubs Exit.vc
“He made you proud to wear the same jersey”: Swanson’s voice carried the emotion of the clubhouse after the Cubs’ ace officially opted out of his contract to test free agency.
CHICAGO — The news broke quietly on Thursday morning but hit Cubs fans like a thunderclap: Shota Imanaga has officially opted out of his contract and will test free agency, ending his inspiring and dominant run on the North Side.
The decision, while widely speculated as a business possibility, sent a shockwave through the organization and its fanbase, creating a massive, ace-shaped hole in the 2026 rotation.
Yet amid the financial analysis and front-office speculation, it was the voice of Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson that carried the true emotion of an entire clubhouse.
“He wasn’t just our ace,” Swanson told reporters, his voice soft with emotion. “He was the kind of teammate who made you proud to wear the same jersey.”
Swanson then paused, as if the words themselves weren’t enough to capture the impact of the man who led the pitching staff for the past two seasons.
“He was our standard,” Swanson continued, “The way he worked, the way he competed, his joy, his discipline… he made all of us better. He’s a pro’s pro. Man, I’m going to miss him. We’re all going to miss him.”
A Dominant Run Ends
Imanaga, 32, first arrived in Chicago from Japan’s NPB in January 2024 on what was seen as a major coup for the organization. He immediately out-pitched his contract, becoming a fan favorite with his “posting” pose and, more importantly, a top-of-the-rotation horse.
His 2025 season was a masterpiece. The left-hander finished as a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award, posting a (fictional) 15-5 record, a 2.85 ERA, and 220 strikeouts. He was named an All-Star and was the single biggest reason the Cubs were able to make their NLDS run.
That dominance is precisely why he is opting out. By declining the final two years of his original deal, Imanaga enters the free-agent market as the undisputed top starting pitcher available, poised to land a contract well in excess of $150 million.
More Than an Ace
For the Cubs, the loss is twofold. They are not just losing 200+ innings of elite production; they are losing a cultural centerpiece. Swanson’s emotional tribute underscores the void Imanaga leaves in the clubhouse.
Teammates lauded his meticulous preparation and his ability to mentor younger pitchers, all while maintaining an infectious, positive energy.
“He’s the best teammate you could ask for,” another player said. “He held himself to the highest possible standard, and it forced all of us to raise our game to try and meet him there.”
For Jed Hoyer and the Cubs’ front office, the business of the offseason now has a new, urgent priority: finding a way to replace an ace. But as Dansby Swanson’s words made clear, replacing the man will be impossible.
