Chicago Cubs fans are filled with hope as the team is reportedly close to signing Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga. While no formal agreement has been made yet, sources indicate that the two sides are working to finalize all the details before Thursday’s deadline. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale was the first to report on the potential deal, noting that Imanaga’s physical in Chicago remains a hurdle to overcome.
Imanaga, a 30-year-old left-handed pitcher, has been one of the top starters in Japan for the past eight years. With advancements in technology and data, teams are becoming more comfortable investing in international players, and this offseason’s market has seen significant financial commitments. Although the terms of the contract are not yet known, it is expected to surpass the projected four-year, $52 million figure.
The pitcher gained exposure to a North American audience during the 2023 World Baseball Classic when he started for Japan in the championship game against the United States. Despite allowing a home run to Trea Turner and a double to Mike Trout, Imanaga showcased his skills by striking out Paul Goldschmidt and Cedric Mullins and retiring Mookie Betts twice. Throughout the tournament, he demonstrated elite pitching ability with seven strikeouts and no walks in six innings.
Imanaga has been a consistent performer in the Central League in Japan, except for a rocky 2018 season. Last year, he led the league with 174 strikeouts and had a strikeouts-per-nine rate of 10.6. He was posted by the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in November and had until Thursday to choose a team.
While not regarded as having the same upside as Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Imanaga is seen as a reliable mid-rotation starter. He heavily relies on his low-to-mid-90s fastball, complemented by multiple variations of offspeed pitches such as his slider and splitfinger. Adjusting to the Major League baseball may pose an early challenge for the pitcher during spring training.
If the deal is finalized, Imanaga will join a Cubs rotation that includes Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Jameson Taillon, and promising young pitchers. The team needs to fill the void left by Marcus Stroman, who opted out of the final year of his contract. The Cubs’ front office, led by Jed Hoyer, is still working to improve the team after narrowly missing the playoffs last season.
In conclusion, while the signing of Shota Imanaga by the Chicago Cubs has not been confirmed, there is an optimistic atmosphere surrounding the potential deal. The 30-year-old lefty has proven himself as one of Japan’s top starting pitchers and showcased his skills on the international stage. If signed, Imanaga could become a reliable mid-rotation starter for the Cubs as the team looks to make improvements and bounce back from falling just short of the playoffs last season.