The Cubs made their first big move of the offseason on Tuesday morning.
Starting pitcher Shota Imanaga is now a free agent, per ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
Heading into the offseason, the Cubs had a team option on Imanaga, but it wasn’t a standard one-year option. They could have exercised a three-year, $57 million deal that would have kept the lefty in Chicago through the 2028 season.
Since the Cubs did not pick up that option, Imanaga then had the choice of exercising his one-year, $15 million player option for 2026, which he also declined.
The team could extend him a qualifying offer, which is valued at just north of $22 million for starting pitchers. If he declines that, the Cubs would get draft pick compensation when he signs elsewhere.
The Cubs and Imanaga could also work out a lesser deal to return, but that seems unlikely at this point.
Imanaga has pitched two seasons on the North Side and is a fan favorite.
In his rookie season, Imanaga made 29 starts, posting a 2.91 ERA, finishing 5th in NL Cy Young Award voting. He was also selected to the MLB All-Star Game, where he pitched a shutout inning.
His 2025 season didn’t end the way he would have liked. Over his last 14 appearances, Imanaga pitched to a 5.42 ERA and allowed 24 home runs during that stretch.
The lefty was in line to start winner-take-all NLDS Game 5 against the Brewers, but after his postseason struggles, the Cubs elected to go with a bullpen game.
Imanaga allowed three home runs in the postseason over 6.2 IP, with an 8.10 ERA.
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