CHICAGO — Cubs left-handed starter Shota Imanaga is getting into free company, sources inform ESPN.
After the staff rejected an possibility to increase his contract out to 2028, he likewise rejected a $15 million participant possibility for subsequent season, triggering his capacity to grow to be a free agent.
The Cubs can nonetheless lengthen him a qualifying provide for 2026. If he rejects that and indicators elsewhere, the staff shall be due draft decide compensation. The choice by the Cubs on the qualifying provide has to return by the tip of the week.
Imanaga, 32, was 9-8 with a 3.73 ERA in 25 begins final season however faltered down the stretch. He had a 6.51 ERA in September and was handed over to start out Sport 5 of the NLDS towards the Milwaukee Brewers, ultimately warming up within the bullpen however by no means moving into the sport.
Imanaga burst onto the MLB scene in 2024 after signing an preliminary 4-year cope with the Cubs. He was 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA in 2024 whereas that includes a novel, rising fastball and misleading splitter. However as hitters obtained to see him extra, he wasn’t as efficient. A fly ball pitcher, he gave up 58 dwelling runs in his two seasons with the Cubs — each of which noticed the wind blowing in at Wrigley Subject greater than out.
Imanaga pitched within the NPB for eight seasons earlier than signing with the Cubs. His preliminary contract was for 4 years value $53 million which included a membership possibility after this previous season to increase the deal to 5 years and $80 million. That triggered his capacity to just accept a $15 million possibility for 2026 which might have given him a elevate over final season. By declining that, he can search a long run cope with one other membership.