The Chicago Cubs enter this offseason facing two high-stakes decisions — one centered around their biggest star, Kyle Tucker, and another that could define the stability of their pitching staff for years to come. While Tucker’s free agency is sure to dominate headlines, the more subtle but perhaps more crucial decision lies with Shota Imanaga’s contract.
As MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand detailed, Imanaga’s four-year, $53 million deal is structured with a maze of options — but at the heart of it all, one path stands out as the clear win-win: the Cubs should exercise their three-year, $57 million club option. Doing so would keep the 31-year-old lefty under team control through the 2028 season, at a modest $19 million annual average value. In today’s pitching market, that’s a bargain for a front-end arm who has already proven he can handle MLB hitters.
Imanaga has quietly become one of Chicago’s most reliable arms since arriving from Japan, posting a 3.28 ERA, 291 strikeouts, and 4.5 WAR over 318 innings. He was an All-Star in his rookie season and even placed fifth in 2024 NL Cy Young voting, earning respect across the league for his command and competitiveness.
For a front office that often prefers long-term flexibility over aggressive spending, this move is both pragmatic and forward-thinking. Locking in Imanaga now guarantees rotational stability — something the Cubs have sorely lacked amid Justin Steele’s health concerns and inconsistent depth options.
At $19 million per year, Imanaga’s deal would slot him alongside names like Chris Sale in terms of cost, yet his performance trajectory suggests far greater value. And as the next few offseasons bring inflated pitcher contracts, that number will look even more team-friendly.
If Chicago truly intends to compete deep into October, locking up Imanaga is non-negotiable. He’s the type of arm that doesn’t just eat innings — he sets a tone. In a winter where Tucker’s fate may steal the spotlight, the Cubs’ smartest, most strategic move might simply be to bet on the steady left hand that’s already in their clubhouse.
