The Chicago Cubs have secured Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga for the 2026 season. He accepted a $22.025 million qualifying offer, choosing to stick around instead of testing free agency.
At 32, Imanaga will remain a key part of the Cubs’ rotation for at least one more year. That choice surprised some folks after an offseason full of rumors about his future.
Both Imanaga and the Cubs had previously declined longer-term contract options. Maybe it’s loyalty, maybe it’s strategy—or just a bit of both—but his value to a team still shaping its pitching core is obvious.
Imanaga’s Journey with the Cubs
Imanaga’s MLB career kicked off in 2024 when he signed a four-year, $53 million deal with Chicago. The contract included several team and player options, so both sides could adjust based on how things went.
He didn’t waste any time making an impact. In his debut season, he put up a 2.91 ERA across 173⅓ innings, which is pretty impressive for a first-year pitcher making the leap from Nippon Professional Baseball.
He finished fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting and fifth in the Cy Young race. That’s not something you see every day.
Continued Success and Late-Season Struggles
In 2025, Imanaga started strong, showing command and poise. He worked deep into games and gave the Cubs a dependable arm.
But as the season dragged on, things got a little rougher. His ERA climbed to 3.74 by the end, maybe due to fatigue or hitters catching on.
Even so, he stayed above league average and kept his spot as one of the Cubs’ most reliable pitchers over the past two years.
Why the Qualifying Offer Made Sense
Negotiations this winter took a weird turn. Chicago declined a three-year, $57.75 million option for 2026–2028, and Imanaga turned down a $15.25 million player option for 2026.
Fans and front office folks were genuinely worried that things might be coming to an end.
GM Carter Hawkins Weighs In
Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins said giving Imanaga a qualifying offer was a no-brainer. He praised Imanaga’s work ethic, consistency, and his knack for pitching under pressure.
Hawkins also talked about how important it is to keep the clubhouse chemistry strong and the rotation steady. Sometimes, it’s not just about numbers.
The Market and Free Agency Factors
Qualifying offers can really shake up offseason plans for teams and players. This year, Imanaga was one of four players to accept a qualifying offer, joining:
- Trent Grisham
- Brandon Woodruff
- Gleyber Torres
- (And Imanaga himself)
Nine other players, including All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker, turned theirs down and aimed for multi-year deals in free agency. Imanaga’s call feels calculated—take the big one-year payday, then see what the market looks like after 2026.
What This Means for the Cubs in 2026
With Imanaga back, the Cubs have a veteran anchor for their rotation. That gives them some breathing room to develop young pitchers or look for trades, without the panic of losing a frontline starter.
Imanaga’s experience in both Japan and MLB, plus his steady numbers, help stabilize the team as they chase postseason hopes. It’s hard to overstate how much that matters when you’re trying to build something lasting.
Looking Ahead
Imanaga heads into the 2026 season with a handful of goals. He wants to build late-season stamina and sharpen his pitch sequencing.
He’s got something to prove—can he really be an elite starter for a full year? If he pulls it off, his next free agency run could bring in a much bigger payday than what’s on the table right now.
Cubs fans can breathe a little easier. The team gets to keep one of its top arms for another year, and that’s no small thing.
Sure, the future’s always a bit fuzzy. But for now, with Imanaga back in uniform, the short-term feels a whole lot brighter at Wrigley.
—
If you want, I can also suggest **SEO-friendly keywords and meta descriptions** for this blog post so it ranks better in search results. Would you like me to do that next?
Here is the source article for this story: Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga returning on $22M qualifying offer
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s