Cubs offseason outlook after acquiring Shota Imanaga and Phil Maton

The Chicago Cubs didn’t waste much time tackling one of their biggest offseason needs—pitching. They extended a one-year qualifying offer to Shota Imanaga for $22.025 million and inked reliever Phil Maton to a two-year deal with a club option for 2028.

These moves help shore up both the rotation and the bullpen. At the same time, the front office keeps financial flexibility alive as they eye even bigger additions.

Cubs Keep the Budget Flexible While Targeting Pitching

Even with Imanaga’s hefty salary, the Cubs’ projected luxury-tax payroll sits around $190 million. That leaves a solid cushion under the $244 million threshold.

President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has room to chase more marquee pitchers if he wants. He’s sticking to short-term contracts, protecting the team’s future options—especially with talk of a possible lockout after 2026 lingering in the background.

Potential Rotation Upgrades Still in Play

The Cubs are actively hunting for a top-of-the-rotation starter, exploring both trades and free agency. Names floating around include Edward Cabrera, Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, Michael King, Ranger Suárez, and Zac Gallen.

Adding any of those guys would instantly boost the rotation and bring some much-needed steadiness. The current group features Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, Colin Rea, and Javier Assad—plus Imanaga’s return.

With ace Justin Steele expected to start 2025 on the injured list as he rehabs from elbow surgery, the urgency for pitching help is obvious.

Why Imanaga’s Return Matters

The Cubs view Imanaga’s one-year deal as a low-risk, high-reward move. If he finds his All-Star groove again, he’ll lock down the middle of the rotation.

Plus, keeping Imanaga helps the Cubs strengthen ties in Japan’s baseball market, which seems to be an emerging focus for the organization.

Phil Maton: A Smart Bullpen Addition

Maton, a 32-year-old reliever with strikeout stuff and postseason experience, joined the Cubs before the bullpen market got out of hand. The quick signing shows the front office knows how relief pitching prices can skyrocket in a hurry.

Searching for More Relief Depth

The Cubs still want another veteran bullpen arm but plan to steer clear of pricey closers like Devin Williams or Pete Fairbanks. They’ve been good at finding undervalued pitchers who can deliver solid results without huge contracts.

Keep an eye on Evan Phillips, the former Dodgers closer coming back from Tommy John surgery. Even with the missed time, his profile fits Chicago’s knack for spotting overlooked relievers with real upside.

Key Takeaways for Cubs Fans

These moves alone won’t push the Cubs into World Series contention. Still, they mark a calculated start to an offseason that looks like it’ll bring more action.

Chicago’s front office seems to be walking the line between patience and proactivity. They’re trying to stay competitive in the pitching market without blowing up long-term plans.

• Imanaga’s return gives the rotation some much-needed stability and opens up market opportunities in Japan.
• Maton’s signing adds strikeout power to the bullpen, and the Cubs managed to avoid overpaying.
• Chicago sits comfortably under the luxury-tax threshold, keeping the door open for big signings or trades.
• The hunt for a top starter is still on, with several big names on their radar.
• Jed Hoyer’s focus on short-term contracts seems to fit with the uncertainty around post-2026 labor negotiations.

This offseason feels like a test of patience for Cubs fans. There’s trust involved, too, as the front office sticks to its long-term vision.

The early moves are about laying a foundation. With plenty of payroll space left, a blockbuster pitching addition isn’t off the table. If the Cubs land one of their top targets, maybe 2025 is the year things start to turn around.

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Here is the source article for this story: What we’re hearing about the Cubs after Shota Imanaga and Phil Maton moves