Cubs’ Shota Imanaga Declares Free Agency After Contract Options Declined

Shota Imanaga, a left-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, has declared free agency following the team’s decision to decline an option to extend his contract. This decision comes after a two-year tenure with the Cubs, during which Imanaga performed admirably but faced challenges.

Imanaga’s Contract and Performance Overview

Imanaga, 32, signed a four-year contract worth $53 million when he joined Major League Baseball in 2024. The contract included options allowing the Cubs to extend it to five years for a total value of $80 million. However, after his second year, the Cubs declined this extension.

In a related move, Imanaga opted out of a $15 million option for the 2026 season. This means he is now officially a free agent. The Cubs do have the option to extend a qualifying offer of $22.025 million, which they may consider in the upcoming days.

Key Performance Highlights

Imanaga’s tenure included notable achievements:

• All-Star in his 2024 rookie season.
• 2.91 ERA across 29 starts, ranking fifth in National League Cy Young Award voting.
• Fourth place in NL Rookie of the Year voting.
• A 3.73 ERA in the 2025 season, despite a hamstring injury affecting performance.

Future Implications for the Cubs and Imanaga

The Cubs face a pressing need for starting pitching depth this offseason. Losing Imanaga without a qualifying offer may intensify their search for replacements. Should the Cubs issue the qualifying offer and Imanaga declines, they could receive draft pick compensation if he signs elsewhere.

Imanaga’s full body of work remains impressive, and he is expected to attract significant interest in the free-agent market. He could potentially command more than his previous player option, with projections suggesting he could exceed the three-year $58 million option the Cubs chose not to pursue.

Competitive Market for Starting Pitchers

This offseason, the starting pitching market looks competitive. Imanaga is anticipated to be among the top free agents, alongside notable pitchers like Dylan Cease, Ranger Suárez, and Framber Valdez. His performances, coupled with a planned offseason regimen to address some delivery issues, position him for a promising future in free agency.