Shockwave Hits Chicago: Shota Imanaga Enters Free Agency, Declares ‘It’s Time for a New Chapter’.vc
CHICAGO, IL — In a stunning and complex contractual decision that has sent shockwaves through Major League Baseball, star left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga has officially entered free agency after two seasons with the Chicago Cubs. The decision was triggered by a sequence of rejected options, marking a critical turning point for both the Japanese ace and the Cubs’ offseason plans.
The high-stakes move became official when:
- The Cubs declined their club option to extend Imanaga’s contract for three years (2026-2028), valued at approximately $57 million. This option was declined due to concerns about his performance regression and home run trends late in the 2025 season.
- Imanaga subsequently declined his $15 million player option for the 2026 season, preferring to test the open market for a more lucrative, long-term deal.
Imanaga: “I’m Ready for the Next Big Opportunity!”
Imanaga, 32, immediately broke his silence, framing the choice as a necessary step for his career evolution.
“After four great years with the Cubs, I felt it was time to explore new opportunities. I’ve had an incredible journey here, but as an athlete, you always have to look ahead… Free agency is an exciting challenge, and I’m ready to take it on,” Imanaga stated.
His decision, while surprising given his strong tenure, highlights his confidence in securing a massive contract after proving he can excel in the Major Leagues.
A Prized Asset on the Open Market
Despite a slight regression in his second year, Imanaga remains one of the most intriguing pitchers available.
| Metric | 2024 (Rookie) | 2025 | Career Cubs (54 Starts) |
| Record | 15-3 | 9-8 | 24-11 |
| ERA | 2.91 (All-Star) | 3.73 | 3.28 |
| Starts | 29 | 25 | 54 |
| Key Accomplishments | 5th in NL Cy Young Voting | Workhorse (144.2 IP) | 291 Strikeouts |
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The pitcher’s history includes eight successful years in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league (NPB) with a 3.18 ERA, adding a proven track record to his MLB success.
Who Will Land the Japanese Ace?
Imanaga’s sudden availability has instantly reshaped the pitching market, and teams are already lining up. Key teams rumored to be interested, based on previous pursuit and current need, include:
- San Francisco Giants: A major contender needing pitching to close the gap on the Dodgers.
- Boston Red Sox: In desperate need of a veteran starter to solidify their rotation.
- New York Yankees: Reportedly looking for pitching depth, and a short-term, high AAV deal could be attractive.
- San Diego Padres: Considered an ideal ballpark fit to mitigate his home run tendencies.
The Cubs’ decision to decline the option was largely influenced by his increased home run rate and a spike in his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) late in 2025. By declining the $57 million option, the Cubs avoided a long-term commitment to Imanaga’s age-32, -33, and -34 seasons, allowing them to potentially focus their budget on other top-tier starters like Dylan Cease.
The next critical step is whether the Cubs will extend a Qualifying Offer (QO), valued at over $22 million for the 2026 season. If Imanaga rejects the QO and signs elsewhere, the Cubs will receive valuable draft pick compensation.
The free agency saga of Shota Imanaga is officially underway, promising one of the most anticipated and game-changing movements of the entire offseason.
Would you like to know which pitchers the Cubs are now expected to target to replace Shota Imanaga in their starting rotation?
