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The free-agent market is adding a big-name lefty starter, as the Cubs declined to pick up their club option for Shota Imanaga, who subsequently declined his player option to become a free agent, a source told MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian on Tuesday morning. The club has not confirmed the news.
The 32-year-old Imanaga signed a relatively convoluted contract upon joining the Cubs before the 2024 season, with the club needing to act this offseason on a $57 million option for 2026-28; declining that gave the lefty a $15 million player option for 2026.
Imanaga regressed some in 2025 from the heights of his excellent rookie season (2.91 ERA, 6.21 K/BB ratio), but he was still a solid rotation option for the Cubs (3.73 ERA, 0.99 WHIP).
