Shota Imanaga has officially announced that he will become a free agent, marking the end of a long and passionate relationship with the team. Over the course of many seasons, he has contributed significantly to victories, making his mark with excellent pitching ability and rare team spirit. The decision to leave opens a new chapter in his career, while leaving behind a heartbroken clubhouse and a fanbase in mourning.
CHICAGO — The “passionate relationship” is officially over. In a move that was both a cold business decision and an emotional gut-punch, Shota Imanaga—the “Throwing Philosopher” who became the ace and “spiritual soul” of the Chicago Cubs—is an unrestricted free agent.
The end was finalized on Tuesday, when the Cubs declined their three-year, $57 million club option. This move triggered a one-year, $15 million player option for Imanaga, which he promptly declined, officially severing his contract with the team.
Hours later, Imanaga released an “emotional statement” on social media that had fans “crying” as they relived his brief but impactful tenure.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Chicago,” Imanaga wrote. “You took me in, you chanted my name, and you gave me the strength to compete. I will cherish the memories we made at Wrigley Field forever. I will never forget the feeling of that flag flying.”
A Clubhouse Left in Tears
Imanaga’s “rare team spirit” and his impact as a teammate were never in question. The “emotional statement” from Imanaga only confirmed what fans had already witnessed: a profound bond in the locker room.
The “crying” from fans was a reflection of the raw emotion shown by the players themselves. Young superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong gave a now-famous, tearful interview after the Cubs’ NLDS loss, anticipating the “harsh reality” of the team breaking up.
“That’s gonna be the hardest part… understanding that it may not be the same faces in here next year,” Crow-Armstrong said, his voice breaking. “And that’s gonna suck.”
The departure of Imanaga, his mentor and friend, was the “suck” he was referring to.
The “Passionate Relationship” vs. The Brutal Finish
For fans, the split is “disheartening” because of how it began. Imanaga arrived in 2024 and immediately became a “folk hero,” famously endearing himself to the city by singing “Go Cubs Go” at his introductory press conference. “Shotamania” took over Chicago as he pitched to a 15-3 record with a 2.91 ERA, finishing as an All-Star.
But the Cubs’ decision to walk away was based on a “brutal” and “unraveling” end to 2025. After returning from a hamstring injury, Imanaga’s performance collapsed.
Final 6 Regular Season Starts: 5.97 ERA, 12 Home Runs allowed.
2025 Postseason: 8.10 ERA, 3 Home Runs allowed.
The front office, led by Jed Hoyer, was unwilling to risk $57 million on a 32-year-old pitcher who had just been “shelled” in the season’s most important moments.
“He’s just a great teammate, a terrific asset to the organization,” Hoyer said, acknowledging the loss.
Now, Imanaga enters a “new chapter,” hitting the open market as one of the top—if riskiest—pitchers available, with teams like the World Series champion Dodgers already rumored to be interested. For Cubs fans, the emotional statement and the tears of his teammates are all that remain of a relationship that burned bright and ended far too soon.
