Chicago inked 30-year-old Imanaga to a four-year contract worth up to 80 million, which can reach that figure with the 2028 option. Imanaga joins lefty Justin Steele, righties Kyle Hendricks and Jameson Taillon in manager Craig Counsell’s rotation.
Imanaga earned Japan its victory against the United States in last year’s World Baseball Classic final while wearing throwback-style high socks in NPB, and must now adjust to MLB hitters.
Signed for $53 Million
Imanaga, who has drawn comparisons to Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, was considered among the top arms in the second tier of free-agent starting pitchers. Reportedly he turned down offers from Red Sox, Giants and Angels in favor of Chicago.
Imanaga will receive $53 million over four years and include a fifth-year team option that could increase its value to $80 million if both 2025 and 2026 team options are declined by Chicago Cubs. Otherwise, he would become free agent.
After an 83-79 season in which they fell out of contention for the NL wild card, the Cubs are looking to upgrade their rotation with right-handed pitcher Kentaro Imanaga joining lefty Justin Steele, righty Kyle Hendricks and righty Jameson Taillon in their starting five. Drew Smyly will move from starting five to the bullpen while youngsters Jordan Wicks, Javier Assad and prospect Ben Brown may fill out remaining spots in that grouping.
He’s a Left-Hander
Shota Imanaga donned his No. 18 jersey and donned his trademark hat for an intimate gathering at a Chicago hotel ballroom, before reciting some lines from “Go Cubs Go.” As a left-handed pitcher with much potential to offer the Cubs, he has much to bring.
He features a strong combination of pitches with excellent control. Over his eight seasons with Nippon Professional Baseball Yokohama DeNA BayStars, Imanaga has amassed an outstanding 3.18 career ERA while recording 306 strikeouts over 1,002 2/3 innings pitched.
Imanaga was one of the standout players at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, helping lead Japan to victory against Team USA in their gold medal game. He started that matchup by striking out both Cedric Mullins and Paul Goldschmidt during its opening two innings.
Imanaga joins Yoshinobu Yamamoto as two prominent Japanese pitchers to sign major league deals this offseason. At 30 years old, he will add depth and replace Marcus Stroman in Chicago Cubs rotation.
His ERA is 2.96
Imanaga is set to join an upstart Cubs rotation that already features Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks and Jameson Taillon. Last season he led Japan’s Central League in strikeouts with 174 and started in 2023 World Baseball Classic’s championship game for Team Japan.
As for Imanaga’s stuff, his four-pitch arsenal features a low 90s fastball with considerable carry (the average MLB 91-94 mph offerings have an induced vertical break of 16 inches), as well as a cutter possessing similar qualities and used approximately half of the time either to catch left-handed batters off their bat or tie up right-handed batters.
On Monday, Jon Heyman expects Imanaga to be available for posting, with multiple teams potentially being interested in signing him. Though Imanaga does not possess the versatility, track record or mystique of Ohtani or Yamamoto or Sasaki he offers no less a viable starting role candidate in MLB.
Imanaga record with a 2.80 ERA
Shota Imanaga’s signing marks Chicago’s initial big move this winter after hiring manager Craig Counsell in November. However, Chicago still needs additional infielders with power hitting capabilities as well as starting pitchers.
Imanaga posted a 7-4 record with a 2.80 ERA across 22 starts for Yokohama BayStars of Japan’s Central League last season, striking out 174 batters while walking 24 over 148 innings pitched.
His fastball velocity (91-93 MPH) may raise some skepticism in MLB circles, but evaluators credit him with having above-average life on his pitch that allows it to generate whiffs at the top of the zone even when its velocity doesn’t hit mid-90s.
He can throw four-seam fastballs that reach 94 MPH, with an average 19 inches of vertical break; that’s more elite than what MLB four-seam pitchers typically produce, which typically reach around 17 inches according to scouting reports. Such command should help him succeed at Wrigley Field where batters have little difficulty reaching home run territory.
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