Shota Imanaga Free Agent: Which MLB Teams Will Pursue?

In a move that’s honestly surprised a lot of the baseball world, Shota Imanaga and the Chicago Cubs are splitting up after both sides declined their contract options for 2026. The lefty’s exit follows a wild ride — he went from a brilliant 2024 season where he looked like a top-tier ace, to a 2025 campaign that just never got going, with injuries and a bunch of home runs allowed.

Cubs fans who once begged for him to stay are now split. Chicago faces a big decision: do they make a qualifying offer or just start looking elsewhere for pitching?

Imanaga’s Rise to Stardom in Chicago

When Shota Imanaga first showed up in Chicago, expectations were sky-high. The Japanese lefty absolutely delivered in his first full year.

In 2024, he put up a sparkling 2.91 ERA, made his first All-Star team, and even finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting. He pitched with such poise and command that fans loved him right away. For a while, it really felt like the Cubs had finally found their rotation anchor.

From dominance to decline

But that optimism faded fast in 2025. Imanaga’s early numbers weren’t awful, but the deeper stats told another story.

His strikeout rate dropped off a cliff, and his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) shot up. That’s usually a red flag. Then he tweaked his hamstring midseason and missed almost two months. The Cubs had to scramble and patch together their rotation.

The Second-Half Collapse

When Imanaga finally got back on the mound, people hoped he’d steady the staff. Didn’t happen.

Between late July and the end of the regular season:

• He posted a 5.17 ERA.
• Coughed up 20 home runs in just 12 starts.
• Finished with 31 home runs allowed—that’s the fourth-most in MLB, and he pitched fewer innings than most guys on that list.

Playoff woes sealed the decision

Some fans still believed he could bounce back in October, but the playoffs just made things worse. He got rocked for an 8.10 ERA in the postseason, right after an 8.04 ERA stretch to finish the regular season.

Those ugly numbers pretty much erased all the goodwill from his breakout year.

Why the Cubs Passed on the Club Option

The Cubs held a three-year, $57 million club option, but they just couldn’t justify that investment with all the risk. It wasn’t only about Imanaga’s performance drop-off.

They also had to consider Wrigley Field’s weird hitting environment. Some years, the wind and weather turn the place into a launching pad, and that just makes a home-run problem even worse.

Imanaga declines his player option

Imanaga, for his part, said no to his $15 million player option. He’s betting he can get a better deal somewhere else.

Even with the rough finish, he’s still a talented and experienced arm. Contenders looking for rotation depth could easily take a shot on him.

What Comes Next for Imanaga and the Cubs

Chicago could still throw out a qualifying offer, which would get them a draft pick if he signs somewhere else. But honestly, the front office might just move on and use that money on other starters.

With Imanaga gone, the Cubs have a big hole to fill in their rotation for 2026. Who steps up? That’s the question now.

Market outlook for the left-hander

Even though Imanaga’s recent results have been uneven, his skill set and track record still make him a valuable commodity in free agency.

Clubs with spacious home ballparks—or teams with strong defensive units—might see him as a high-upside candidate. He could be capable of recapturing his earlier form.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Shota Imanaga Becomes Free Agent