Yahoo Sports senior MLB analysts Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the left-handed pitcher’s acceptance of the qualifying offer after the team previously declined a multi-year option earlier this offseason. Check out the full conversation on the “Baseball Bar-B-Cast” podcast – and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
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Video Transcript
I think Inaga, because we had this kind of contractual labyrinth to get to this point.
Where the Cubs declined 3 years and $57M option in his deal, Then Imannaga declined 115, but then accepts 122.
In the form of the QO, I thought, Remember when this first happened, I was like, oh wow, that’s kind of a sad way for this to end.
But really, the Cubs were just like, no, we like Iminaga; we just don’t really want to commit to Him.
As he enters his, you know, mid-30s, and it’s More about it: yes, he should be part of our rotation this year.
What compels me about this is, OK, the Cubs could conceivably just run back the Rotation they had last year, which in some respects was good because they were top 10 ERA, and they threw a bunch of strikes, but also didn’t strike anybody out, and really Trusted their elite defense to work behind them.
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If you’re gonna let Kyle Tucker walk, how are you making your team any better?
And that could still be signing a top-tier starting pitcher and moving Colin Rea back Bulk role, right?
Like, the pivot from Kyle Tucker might Not necessarily just getting another right fielder, you know.
When you look at their roster, that seems unlikely, honestly.
That they would just add another outfielder.
So, the Cubs are interesting to me.
What they do with their pitching is insane viewed as, ‘Cause we’ll never really know the degree to which the teams are honest about how.
How much they expected players to accept it versus decline is always interesting.
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Because once they accept, what are you going to be like?
Youre going to publicly say, Damn it, oh God, this guy’s back sucks.
Like, no, You might get a little reporting here and there being like, Some officials were surprised.
We don’t really know.
And so I’m sure the Cubs will welcome back Chicago welcomes with open arms, but it’s possible the inner workings of the Cubs’ front office, They were like, hopefully Imanaga leaves and we can go sign a better pitcher.
You know, II don’t know, they could still do that, but that’s what’s also always interesting Dynamic with this stuff.
Also, the funny thing, specifically with Inaga.
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It’s like, hey, we believe in you, but only for this year.
They declined the team option for two more years.
So toeing the line of faith in an employee, in that regard.
Yes.
Can you imagine, Jordan, if I said, hey, This upcoming season for the podcast, I can’t wait to work with you.
The following season, no desire at all.
We’re, we’re gonna see, we’re gonna see, we’re gonna see.
Prove it.
Do it again.
Strike out more batters, and we’ll see.
I mean, Again, I think that the Cubs are way up there, just like, What, what are we doing?
What are we doing to improve?
Because especially what we just mentioned, brewers are kind of running it back.
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And, while you can say that might have some issues once you get to the postseason.
Right now, Brewers look a lot better than the Cubs.
I don’t feel bad saying that, though.
Uh, we will see if the Cubs do enough this winter to change that perception going in Regular season.