Shota Imanaga is returning to Wrigley Field after accepting a one-year qualifying offer worth $22.025 million to remain with the Chicago Cubs for at least the 2026 MLB season, per MLB.com.
This decision comes after the Cubs declined a three-year, $57.75 million club option, and Imanaga turned down a $15.25 million player option. Nonetheless, it appeared that the Japanese pitcher opted against delving deeper into free agency.
Now that Imanaga will be back in Chicago for another season, Marquee Sports Network’s Bruce Levine shared his honest thoughts on what the pitcher will bring to the Cubs, who will be eyeing an NL Central division title.
“Initial reaction is it’s a guarantee of a veteran pitcher giving you innings,” Levine said on November 18. “He’s always done that. Last year, he had the injury to the hamstring. He was out for six weeks. But this guy, throughout his career in Japan, he’s been pitching [for] 15 years, so he knows what he’s doing out there. He’s hard to hit.
“We know about the home run factor, the fact that that was ticked up quite a bit last year compared to the innings pitched. So that’s the one factor. But giving up base hits, batting average, is a very good pitcher, a veteran guy that you can count on. I think that they’re back, happy that he is back.”
Shota Imanaga Brings Stability to the Cubs
While Imanaga can be an innings eater for Chicago, Levine also noted another positive aspect to having the 32-year-old back with the Cubs.
“[Imanaga’s return to the Cubs] solidifies their starting pitching,” Levine added. “They can move forward knowing they have at least four or five starting pitchers locked in for the season.”
The Cubs Still Need at Least Another Starting Pitcher
As Levine mentioned, the Cubs now know they have four starting pitchers to fill out their rotation and might just need to look for one more in free agency. Who could that be? SiriusXM’s Jeff Joyce floated out the name of Dylan Cease as a target that the Cubs should consider this winter.
“The Michael King doesn’t feel like the pitcher the Cubs should go after,” Joyce said on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. “They’ve already got enough guys. I want a guy from the Cubs [who] is going to give me some known things, like innings and quality… I need a guy that I can count on for at least 160 innings.
“So I think Cease makes a lot of sense. It’s been like the every other year thing recently for him, where when the stuff is on, he’s really good. Second and fourth place finishes in the Cy Young.”
Last season with the San Diego Padres, Cease posted an 8-12 record, an ERA of 4.55, and 215 strikeouts across 32 appearances in 2025, according to StatMuse. Moreover, Cease is familiar with the market, having played five years for the Chicago White Sox.
With Imanaga back, it will be interesting to see if the Cubs go for another innings-eater or pursue someone who can be at the front end of the rotation.
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