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Imanaga becomes eligible for free agency after Cubs, pitcher turn down options, AP source says

  • On Tuesday, left-hander Shota Imanaga became a free agent after the Chicago Cubs declined an option that would have guaranteed $57 million and he rejected a $15.25 million player option.
  • Signed out of Japan to a four-year, $53 million contract, Shota Imanaga broke out in 2024 with a 2.91 ERA and an All-Star appearance.
  • This season Imanaga produced a 3.73 ERA in 25 starts, was sidelined between May 24 and June 26 by a strained left hamstring, then posted a 6.51 ERA in September and missed NLDS Game 5.
  • The Cubs can extend a one-year qualifying offer of $22,025,000 and must decide by the end of the week; if Imanaga signs elsewhere, Chicago would get draft pick compensation and lose starting pitching depth.
  • Imanaga pitched eight seasons in NPB before signing with the Cubs, earning $23.25 million over two seasons, including a $250,000 escalator, and surrendered 58 home runs at Wrigley Field.
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Imanaga becomes eligible for free agency after Cubs, pitcher turn down options, AP source says

A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press that left-hander Shoto Imanaga became eligible for free agency when the Chicago Cubs declined an option to keep his contract by guaranteeing $57 million for the 2026-28 seasons and he turned down a $15.25 million option for 2026.

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MLB Trade Rumors broke the news in United States on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
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