TL;DR
After the 2025 season, the Cubs face a decision on whether to pick up a three-year, $57MM club option ($19MM AAV) that covers the 2026-28 seasons. If Chicago declines, Imanaga will have a $15MM player option for 2026. If that player option is executed, then there’s another fork in the road ahead. After 2026, the Cubs would have to decide on a two-year, $42MM club option ($21MM AAV) for 2027-28. If they decline that, Imanaga can pick up a $15MM player option for 2027.
11 comments
I would assume we’d pick up the 3/57
Why would they not? Seems like a bargain
They absolutely should do the 3 for 57. He’s a smart pitcher, and hopefully, he’ll do well for us for a long time.
What in the world
No brainer. He’d surely get more on the open market.
This shouldn’t even be a conversation. You easily pick that up.
Considering how expensive starting pitching is, it’s not even a risk if the Cubs believe he might not age gracefully. After this season it should be obvious we need all the starting pitchers we can get.
Shota has been excellent, and you can tell he absolutely loves the team. They would be absolute idiots to not resign him
I thought this was a pretty lazy article from MLB Trade Rumors. Shota’s club option is getting picked up. He’s a fan favorite both in Chicago and Japan. Die hards from his Yokohama days visit Chicago just to see him again. Yes, his peripherals often don’t appear stellar because FIP is notoriously unforgiving to fly ball pitchers especially ones without great strikeout numbers. Shota is very unique though because he’s still excellent in run prevention even with higher HR/9 numbers. There’s a reason team Japan gave him the ball in the 2023 WBC championship game and it’s not because he throws 102. It’s because the dude just gets it done
no brainer move here
His facial expressions on the mound alone are worth at least $4mil AAV.