{"id":594258,"date":"2026-02-26T15:55:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T15:55:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/594258\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T15:55:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T15:55:15","slug":"chicago-cubs-all-star-gives-valuable-insight-on-white-sox-slugger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/594258\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Cubs All-Star gives valuable insight on White Sox slugger"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Cubs<\/a> and the Chicago White Sox<\/a> have the most Japanese talent outside of the Los Angeles Dodgers. <\/p>\n

More News: Colson Montgomery reflects on his 2025 season with the Chicago White Sox<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cubs have left-hander Shota Imanaga and right-fielder\/designated hitter Seiya Suzuki on their roster, while the White Sox recently signed Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami (two years, $34 million). Imanaga, who accepted the qualifying offer ($22.025 million) to return to the Cubs, gave some insight into what type of hitter Murakami will be, while also providing a scouting report for the Toronto Blue Jays\u2019 offseason signing, third baseman Kazuma Okamoto (four years, $60 million).<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I wouldn\u2019t say, you know, they\u2019re underrating them [Murakami and Okamoto]. I think, you know, with MLB, there\u2019s going to be a lot of changes that are going to happen,\u201d Imanaga said on the \u201cFoul Territory\u201d podcast<\/a>. \u201cSo I think there are factors of that involved. And then regarding, you know, the players like, I mean, they\u2019re superstars in Japan, and they\u2019re fantastic players, and Murakami and Okamoto. I mean, they\u2019ve hit many home runs off of me. So I think in their contract, I mean, you know, some of the home runs they hit off me was it were in there. So I would factor that in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Imanaga played and faced Murakami and Okamoto during his time in the NPB, where he spent eight seasons. <\/p>\n

The Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox have shown they\u2019re destinations for Japanese talent
\n\"ChicagoFeb 20, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) leads off the base against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Since the Dodgers seemingly have a stranglehold on the Japanese market \u2014 signing the likes of two-way star and reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani, and right-handers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki \u2014 Chicago quickly became a nice alternative. Former Japanese great right-hander Koji Uehara, outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, and current San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish played in Chicago. <\/p>\n

Imanaga and Suzuki are both free agents after this season, and their futures with the Cubs and in Chicago remain uncertain. As for Murakami, even though he signed a two-year deal, general manager Chris Getz<\/a> could capitalize on his production and trade him at the deadline for players to contribute to the rebuild. <\/p>\n

With a pool of Japanese talent increasingly available, and the World Baseball Classic offering a perfect opportunity for others to showcase their talents, the Cubs and White Sox have a good chance to get first cracks at signing these players.<\/p>\n

\"TorontoFeb 25, 2026; Lakeland, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto (7) doubles during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\"Chicago<\/p>\n

Chicago Cubs pitcher dealing with injury early in Spring Training
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