The Chicago Cubs have made their first major move of the offseason, reportedly agreeing to a deal with Japanese left-handed pitcher Shōta Imanaga pending medical review, according to sources. The news was first reported by MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi on Tuesday night, although the club has not yet confirmed the move.
The addition of Imanaga marks a significant acquisition for the Cubs, who have been relatively quiet this winter aside from bringing on manager Craig Counsell. The signing of Imanaga gives Chicago a frontline starter in the rotation, joining fellow countrymate Seiya Suzuki who came to the Cubs in 2022 after nine seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball.
Imanaga was posted by the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, allowing him the opportunity to pursue a career in Major League Baseball after eight seasons in NPB. The posting period was set to expire on Thursday at 5 p.m. ET.
While Imanaga may not have received the same level of attention as some of his fellow Japanese pitchers, the 30-year-old left-hander is considered a top-tier talent in his own right, with the potential to fill a No. 2 or No. 3 starter role in the Majors. He utilizes a four-pitch mix, featuring a mid-90s fastball, a splitter, a slider, and a curveball, and has posted a solid 3.18 ERA in 1,002 2/3 innings during his NPB career.
Imanaga’s performance in the past two seasons has been particularly impressive, as he bounced back after undergoing left shoulder surgery in 2020. Despite missing the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to the procedure, he posted a 2.53 ERA with 306 strikeouts over 291 2/3 innings. His strong showing garnered attention from MLB fans when he pitched for his country in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, delivering strong performances and ultimately starting and winning the gold-medal game against Team USA.
The addition of Shōta Imanaga is a significant move for the Cubs as they look to bolster their roster ahead of the upcoming season, and fans will be eager to see how the left-hander contributes to the team’s success in the Major Leagues.