Shota Imanaga: A Pitcher's Journey from Chicago to Free Agency

Shota Imanaga, a talented left-handed pitcher from Japan, is now a free agent. This comes after the Chicago Cubs and Imanaga decided not to extend his contract. Both sides chose not to pick up their options, which means Imanaga is now free to sign with any team he wants. Imanaga joined the Cubs two years ago with a lot of promise. He had a great track record in Japan and helped his team win the World Baseball Classic in 2023. His first season in the majors was impressive. He won 15 games, had a low ERA, and struck out a lot of batters. He was even named an All-Star and finished fifth in the voting for the Cy Young Award. However, things took a turn in 2025. An injury to his hamstring slowed him down. He still had a decent season, but his performance dipped in the second half. He allowed a lot of home runs, which hurt his team. This issue carried over to the playoffs, where he gave up three home runs in a short span, and the Cubs lost to the Milwaukee Brewers. At just 32 years old, Imanaga is still a valuable pitcher. Many teams with big dreams for 2026 will likely be interested in signing him. His experience and skills make him a desirable free agent.