The Cubs have left the door open for a possible reunion with left-hander Shota Imanaga, despite declining his three-year option and risking his departure in free agency.
Before Thursday’s deadline, the Cubs extended qualifying offers ($22.025 million) to Imanaga and right fielder Kyle Tucker, the team announced. The players have until Nov. 18 to either accept and rejoin the Cubs for 2026, or decline and remain a free agent. If they sign with another team, the Cubs are eligible for draft compensation.
Tucker, who won the second Silver Slugger Award of his career on Thursday, is expected to test free agency. Imanaga’s calculation isn’t as straightforward. But even if Imanaga rejects the qualifying offer, the Cubs are expected to remain in contact with his camp.
If both sides are amenable, they could discuss a new, restructured deal with a smaller commitment from the team, either in years or total financial commitment, compared to the three-year option worth around $58 million that the Cubs declined.
At the same time, however, Imanaga’s agents would be fielding calls from other interested parties. And, depending on how his market unfolds, another offer could be more enticing.
The qualifying offer would represent a raise from both the 2026 player option of about $15 million that Imanaga declined, and the 2026 earnings in the three-year club option that the Cubs declined.
It, however, is only a one-year deal. The intricate structure of Imanaga’s previous contract paved the way for a longer-term commitment if either option was picked up this offseason.
Pitching will be at the top of the Cubs’ list this offseason, whether or not Imanaga accepts the qualifying offer.
On Thursday, the Cubs also agreed to terms with right-hander Colin Rea on a one-year deal with a club option for 2027. His return helps solidify some of the Cubs’ pitching depth, but it will remain an offseason priority.
For the rotation, the Cubs have to replace Imanaga’s production, either by bringing him back or making an outside acquisition, and ideally add a frontline starter.
The Cubs are at least expecting key injured starters back early next season.
Rookie Cade Horton (fractured rib) was poised to join the National League Championship Series if the Cubs had advanced, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer confirmed after the team was bounced by the Brewers in the NL Division Series. Horton is expected to have a normal offseason.
Cubs left-hander Justin Steele could return from elbow surgery in the first couple months of the 2026 season if his rehab continues to go smoothly. But, with him still early in a throwing program, the team needs to have contingency plans in place.
The bullpen is in more dire shape. After trading veteran right-hander Andew Kittredge back to the Orioles, the Cubs are returning just two relievers who pitched at least 15 major-league innings last year, right-handers Daniel Palencia and Porter Hodge.
Neither was with the major-league squad for the entirety of the season, but both had stints as the team’s closer.
Note: Veteran first baseman Justin Turner has become a free agent, the MLB Players association announced Thursday. His $10 million mutual option for 2026 was declined.
