Cubs Decline Imanaga Option, Free Agent as Starter Market Heats Up

Shota Imanaga became a free agent Tuesday after the Chicago Cubs declined a multiyear club option on his contract and the lefthanded starter turned down his one-year player option, team officials said, opening the market for one of the more sought-after starting pitchers available this winter. The decision ends a two-season run in Chicago for the 32-year-old pitcher, who signed from Japan before the 2024 season.

The Cubs chose not to exercise a three-year option that would have guaranteed roughly $57 million through 2028, which in turn left Imanaga the choice to accept or reject a roughly $15 million player option for 2026. He declined that option, making him eligible to sign with any club. Chicago may still extend a qualifying offer of just over $22 million for 2026; if he declines and signs elsewhere before the amateur draft, the Cubs would receive draft pick compensation.

Imanaga arrived in Chicago with strong credentials from Nippon Professional Baseball and translated that success quickly. In 2024 he made 29 starts, posted a 2.91 ERA, was named an All-Star and finished among the top vote-getters in National League Cy Young Award balloting. He followed with 25 starts in...