The Chicago Cubs entered the offseason with some pretty obvious needs—and, just as obviously, not a ton of financial wiggle room. Tatsuya Imai’s free agency didn’t go as many expected, and that’s only made things clearer. What once seemed like a possible nine-figure pitching chase has now become a bit of a crossroads for the Cubs. They have to make some tough calls about where to put their money as 2025 creeps closer.
Cubs Miss Out as Imai Chooses Houston
Tatsuya Imai surprised a lot of people by signing a three-year, $54 million deal with the Houston Astros. The contract includes opt-out clauses after each of the first two seasons, so Imai keeps his options open while Houston gets some upside without too much long-term risk.
Most folks saw the Cubs as legit contenders during Imai’s 45-day posting window. In the end, they just couldn’t pull the trigger on that kind of commitment. Chicago didn’t quite see enough certainty to make him their top guy.
Why Chicago Didn’t Go All-In
There was plenty of chatter about big-market teams circling, but reports say the Yankees and Mets didn’t really go after Imai. The Yankees wanted to boost their offense, and the Mets didn’t love the idea of locking up another starter long-term.
For the Cubs, it boiled down to risk. They’ve seen teams get burned by huge contracts for international arms who’ve never pitched in MLB, and it looks like they’re set on not making that mistake again.
The Current State of the Cubs’ Rotation
The Cubs’ rotation? Still a work in progress. Cade Horton’s got the hype as the future ace, but the rest of the group doesn’t have that true front-line punch. Justin Steele is supposed to return from elbow surgery in April, which should help, but who knows how smooth that comeback will be.
After Steele and Horton, things get thin fast. Jameson Taillon, Colin Rea, and Javier Assad can eat innings, but they’re not scaring anybody at the top of a rotation.
Alternative Pitching Paths Still Open
Missing out on Imai doesn’t mean the Cubs are out of options. The free-agent market still has some interesting arms:
They could also swing a trade. MacKenzie Gore and Kris Bubic are names floating around if the Cubs want to use prospects instead of cash.
Payroll Flexibility Shapes the Strategy
RosterResource has the Cubs’ projected luxury tax payroll at about $210 million. That leaves them roughly $35 million below the base threshold and $21 million under their projected 2025 year-end number.
This gives Chicago some breathing room, but they can’t just spend for the sake of it. Ownership and the front office seem set on being careful, especially after watching Imai get less than many thought he would.
Offense May Take Priority
With Kyle Tucker probably not coming back, the Cubs might shift gears and target the lineup instead of dropping big money on pitching. The offense has been up and down, and adding a middle-of-the-order bat could matter more right now.
Infield Targets and Internal Confidence
The Cubs have been linked to corner infielders like Alex Bregman and Eugenio Suárez. Jed Hoyer, the president of baseball operations, keeps saying he believes in young third baseman Matt Shaw.
Kazuma Okamoto from NPB is another name that’s come up. Chicago’s shown some interest, but honestly, he probably has a clearer path to playing time elsewhere.
Why Okamoto May Look Elsewhere
San Diego and Pittsburgh can offer Okamoto more direct opportunities. The Cubs already have Shaw and Michael Busch at the corners, so unless they make a move, Okamoto would be fighting for at-bats.
All Signs Point to a Calculated Offseason
After missing on Tatsuya Imai, the Cubs are recalibrating instead of reacting right away.
They’ve got payroll flexibility and a crop of promising young players coming up.
There are still several directions the roster could go, so Chicago’s in a decent spot to improve—just not by sacrificing long-term stability.
Honestly, don’t expect headline-chasing splashes as the offseason unfolds. The front office seems set on making calculated moves instead.
Here is the source article for this story: Cubs Notes: Imai, Okamoto
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