The Chicago Cubs could be circling a major pitching addition, at least if a new CBS Sports projection is right.
CBS’ R.J. Anderson predicted Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai will land with the Cubs, calling it essentially a coin flip between Chicago and the New York Yankees, and leaning Cubs.
For a team that has been hunting for more rotation stability, the idea of adding a power arm from Japan is the kind of “new year, new ace” storyline Cubs fans can latch onto as the offseason drags toward spring training. There’s extra urgency here, too, as Imai’s posting window closes Friday, January 2.
Key details
- New CBS predictions report say the Cubs could land pitcher Tatsuya Imai.
- Imai has a variety of pitches at his disposal and is drawing significant interest on the open market.
- The Cubs and New York Yankees are considered the two teams that fit Imai the best.
CBS Projection Links Tatsuya Imai to the Cubs
In CBS’ roundup predicting landing spots for the top remaining free agents, Anderson described Imai as an incoming transfer from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league with a “quality arsenal,” including a mid-90s fastball and a “wrong-way slider.”
Anderson added that while the sport’s “usual big spenders” have been connected publicly, the Yankees and Cubs “probably mak[e] the most sense,” before landing on Chicago as the pick.
That’s the key for a Cubs angle: this isn’t framed as a long list of 10 teams. CBS is essentially narrowing the most logical fits down to two, and putting the Cubs at the front of the line.
What It Means for Chicago’s Rotation Plans
CBS previously reported the Cubs are still seeking a front-of-the-rotation starter, citing The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma.
That same CBS note laid out a current rotation picture that includes Shota Imanaga, Cade Horton, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, and either Colin Rea or Javier Assad, with Justin Steele expected back at some point during the summer after elbow surgery.
If Imai truly is gettable — and the Cubs are in a position to win the “coin flip” — he’d slot into the same conversation Chicago has been living in all winter: add a high-upside arm who can take pressure off the rest of the staff over a long season.
Why the Cubs Make Sense as a Landing Spot
Chicago’s fit isn’t just about need. It’s also about timing.
CBS framed the offseason as slow-moving with spring training about seven weeks away, and pointed out that many top free agents remain unsigned. That kind of market can create openings for teams willing to be aggressive — especially on pitching — while other clubs wait for the bigger dominoes to fall.
Anderson’s Imai write-up also matters because it’s not a “mystery player.” He gave specific traits (velocity, slider shape) and named realistic suitors, which makes it easier to connect the dots to Chicago’s stated pursuit of another impact starter.
What Happens Next
The important reminder: this is still a projection, not a report that the Cubs have an agreement in place. But it does put Chicago at the center of the Imai conversation — and it tees up an easy next storyline:
If the Cubs don’t land him, did the Yankees (or another spender) swoop in? And if they do land him, does that change how aggressively Chicago chases other top-end pitching options? Are there even more unforeseen moves coming down the pipe for the Cubs?
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