HE’S GONE… Cubs already have a SURPRISE replacement… Chicago Cubs latest news

From the heart of Wrigleyville, where legends are born, this is Chicago Cubs News Today. Alert Northsiders, the move we were dreading regarding our rotation just happened. One of our pillars may be walking, but the front office already has a risky plan B coming from Japan. I have the details on the replacement. Do not miss this exclusive breakdown. Subscribe now and hit the bell before this news gets out. All right, let’s get right into it. The first major domino of the Cubs off season has fallen and it’s exactly as I’ve been signaling it would for the past few weeks. Shota Imanaga has, as expected, declined his one-year $15 million player option. Sources confirmed to me this was purely a procedural move. The subsequent big news, however, is that the Cubs also apparently opted not to exercise their club option, which was a three-year 57 million extension. A decision that truly sets the stage for what’s next. What happened immediately after the Cubs predictably extended the one-year 2205 million qualifying offer uh Qo. Now, let’s analyze what this means because this is strategic chess by Jed Hoya. The front office does not realistically expect Imanaga to accept this one-year offer at 32 years old, even coming off a regression season 983.73 ERA. Compared to his spectacular 2023 debut 1532 91 ERA, Immanaga and his agency believe they can secure a multi-year deal on the open market, likely seeking something in the three or 4-year range, perhaps exceeding the total value of the club option. The Cubs declined. The qualifying offer is an insurance policy for the Cubs. In the unlikely scenario he accepts, the Cubs get their number two or number three starter back for one year, albeit at a high salary. In the far more likely scenario that he declines and signs with another team, the Cubs receive a compensatory draft pick. It’s an asset management play. The loss of Imanaga, if it indeed comes to pass, is substantial. We’re talking about a pitcher who over two seasons proved to be a reliable mid rotation starter capable of soaking up innings and competing. Replacing that reliability isn’t simple. The free agent pitching market is always volatile and expensive. And we know Hoyer prefers to hunt for value and efficiency rather than get into bidding wars for the most expensive names. While his ERRA climbed in 2025, his peripherals still suggest an effective pitcher. So the question the front office now faces isn’t just how do we replace Imanaga, but how do we replace Immanaga smartly and sustainably? And that brings me to the main point and what I’m hearing from my contacts regarding the contingency plan. If Imanaga is walking, the Cubs are already looking across the Pacific for his successor. And the name gaining significant traction in scouting circles is Tatsuya Imi. Imi, a 28-year-old right-hander from the Sabu Lions in the NPB, is expected to be posted, made available to MLB teams this winter. Sports Illustrated recently predicted Imi as a likely signing for the Cubs. And that prediction doesn’t come from nowhere. It aligns with the Cubs modus operandi. Why does imi make so much sense? Let’s break it down. First, the age. At 28, he is four years younger than Imanaga. He is entering his physical prime potentially offering more long-term control than a 32year-old Immanaga second. The cost while there will be a posting fee paid to the Sabu Lions. The subsequent contract for Imi will not reach the levels that Imanager or other top tier MLB free agents will demand. This gives Jed Hoyer crucial financial flexibility to address other areas of the roster. perhaps an impact bat or significant bullpen help. Third, the profile and team philosophy. The SI article mentioned the physical build. Immay is 5’11.80 Martin and 154 lbs 70 k very similar to Imanaga 5’10 175 labs. And this is important. It tells us the Cubs analytics department isn’t shy about investing in pitches deemed undersized by MLB standards as long as the mechanics, spin rate, and stuff are there. The Cubs have a successful recent track record with Japanese players, Seya Suzuki, Imanaga himself, and Udarish before them. They have the scouting and development infrastructure to make this transition work. Imi is not an Immanaga carbon copy. He’s a different pitcher, but one who has shown strikeout potential in the NPB. There is obviously risk. The transition from the NPB ball to the MLB ball, the 5-day schedule, the depth of MLB lineups, but but it is a calculated high upside risk that fits perfectly into the Cubs strategy of finding talent before it becomes prohibitively expensive. To summarize, the Immanaga era in Chicago is likely over. The qualifying offer move was standard business procedure to secure a draft pick. The focus now shifts to Tatsuya Imi, a younger, cheaper, high upside replacement from Japan. And this is a classic Hoya move, managing risk while hunting for inefficient market value. Now, I want to hear from you Cubs fans. Are you comfortable letting Imanaga walk and betting on the upside of Tatsuya? Or do you think the front office should have paid the $22.05 million or even exercised the three-year option? Leave your comments below. And as always, for the latest news and analysis as it breaks, keep it locked right

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HE’S GONE… Cubs already have a SURPRISE replacement… Chicago Cubs latest news

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