Chicago Cubs Left-Hander Shota Imanaga Opts for Free Agency After Club Declines Extension

CHICAGO – Left-handed starting pitcher Shota Imanaga has officially entered the Major League Baseball free-agent market, sources close to the situation have confirmed to ESPN. The move follows a series of contractual decisions by both the Chicago Cubs organization and the player himself, marking a pivotal moment for both parties as the offseason begins.

The complex contractual framework of Imanaga’s initial agreement with the Cubs, signed prior to the 2024 season, laid the groundwork for this outcome. His original deal was a four-year contract valued at $53 million. A critical component of this agreement was a club option, which would have allowed the Cubs to extend the deal to a fifth year, raising the total value to $80 million through the 2028 season. The Cubs, however, elected to decline this option. This decision then triggered a subsequent player option for Imanaga, valued at $15 million for the 2026 season. Imanaga, in turn, also rejected his player option, thereby solidifying his status as a free agent eligible to negotiate with any MLB club.

The decision-making process for both sides was undoubtedly influenced by Imanaga’s performance during his two seasons in North America. Imanaga, 32, burst onto the MLB scene in 2024, captivating audiences and baffling hitters with his unique pitching arsenal. In his debut season, he posted an impressive 15-3 record with a stellar 2.91 ERA, quickly establishing himself as a formidable presence in the Cubs’ rotation. His distinct rising fastball, often clocking in the low 90s but playing up due to exceptional spin rates and a flat approach angle, coupled with a deceptive splitter, made him particularly effective against right-handed hitters. He often garnered comparisons to other successful Japanese pitchers who have transitioned to MLB, given his immediate impact.

However, the 2025 season presented a different narrative for the southpaw. While still a capable starter, Imanaga finished his second MLB campaign with a 9-8 record and a 3.73 ERA over 25 starts. This marked a noticeable regression from his dominant debut. The challenges intensified as the season progressed, with Imanaga struggling significantly in the critical final month of the regular season. He registered a concerning 6.51 ERA in September, a period when the Cubs were engaged in a tight playoff race. His late-season falter led to him being passed over for a start in Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, a high-stakes winner-take-all contest. Although he warmed up in the bullpen, he ultimately did not enter the game, a clear indication of the coaching staff’s diminished confidence in his ability to perform under pressure at that juncture.

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A key factor in Imanaga’s evolving performance was the league’s adjustment to his repertoire. As hitters gained more exposure to his unique delivery and pitch mix, they began to make more consistent contact. Imanaga’s profile as a fly-ball pitcher, while effective when pitches were precisely located, also made him susceptible to the long ball, especially in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. Across his two seasons with the Cubs, he surrendered 58 home runs, a figure exacerbated by the prevalent wind conditions at the iconic ballpark, which often favored hitters, particularly on fly balls to the outfield. The combination of increased scouting reports and environmental factors contributed to his reduced effectiveness compared to his initial breakout year.

Despite his entry into free agency, the Cubs still retain a strategic option regarding Imanaga. The team has until the end of the current week to extend a qualifying offer for the 2026 season. A qualifying offer, a one-year contract for a predetermined value (which typically hovers around the average of the top 125 highest-paid players in MLB), would serve as a mechanism for the Cubs to potentially gain compensation if Imanaga signs with another club. If he rejects the qualifying offer and subsequently signs a multi-year deal elsewhere, the Cubs would be entitled to a compensatory draft pick in the following year’s MLB draft. The specific value and location of this draft pick would depend on factors such as the Cubs’ revenue-sharing status and the value of Imanaga’s new contract. The decision by the Cubs on whether to issue a qualifying offer will be a strategic one, weighing the potential for a draft pick against the financial commitment and the possibility of Imanaga accepting it.

From Imanaga’s perspective, declining the $15 million player option for 2026 indicates his ambition to secure a more lucrative, long-term contract on the open market. While $15 million represents a significant annual salary and a raise from his previous year’s earnings, a multi-year deal in free agency could provide greater financial security and potentially a higher average annual value, particularly for a starting pitcher of his caliber and experience. The free-agent pitching market is often robust, with teams consistently seeking proven arms. Imanaga, despite his late-season struggles in 2025, possesses a track record of success both in MLB and in Japan, making him an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their rotation. Potential suitors would likely evaluate his overall body of work, focusing on his strong debut season and attempting to project whether his 2025 struggles were an anomaly or a sign of future trends.

Before his transition to Major League Baseball, Imanaga enjoyed a distinguished eight-season career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan, primarily with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. During his tenure in NPB, he established himself as one of the league’s premier left-handed pitchers, known for his consistency, command, and ability to generate strikeouts. His success in Japan made him a highly sought-after commodity when he decided to pursue an MLB career, with numerous teams expressing interest before he ultimately signed with the Cubs. His extensive professional experience in a highly competitive league like NPB provided him with a solid foundation for his transition to MLB.

The Cubs’ decision to let Imanaga explore free agency aligns with other recent roster adjustments. On Tuesday, the team also initiated a bullpen overhaul by trading right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge back to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations. This move, while seemingly minor, reflects the Cubs’ broader strategy of re-evaluating their pitching staff and potentially seeking more cost-effective or higher-upside options in both their bullpen and starting rotation. With Imanaga now on the market, the Cubs will need to assess their current rotation depth, which includes key figures like Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon, and consider pursuing other free-agent pitchers or promoting prospects from their farm system to fill any potential void. The team’s offseason strategy will likely focus on acquiring pitching that can provide both stability and high-level performance throughout a full MLB season, with a keen eye on maintaining a competitive edge in the National League Central Division.

Imanaga’s departure into free agency signals the beginning of a potentially active offseason for both the pitcher and the Chicago Cubs, as both parties look to optimize their future prospects in Major League Baseball.