Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga. Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

Cubs make surprising decision on lefty Shota Imanaga

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Nov 4, 2025 2:52 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs made a surprising choice on Tuesday by declining their club option to extend left-hander Shota Imanaga’s contract for three additional seasons, which triggered his $15 million player option for 2026 — an option he chose not to exercise, making him a free agent.

The news was reported by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.

Imanaga went 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA in 173.1 innings during a spectacular rookie season in 2024, finishing fifth in the National League Cy Young Award voting and fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year Award. He was unable to replicate that success in 2025, going 9-8 with a 3.73 ERA over 144.2 innings in 25 starts.

Imanaga’s postseason performance, along with a potentially exorbitant price tag, could also justify the Cubs' decision not to retain him. The 32-year-old had an 8.10 ERA in 6.2 innings during the 2025 playoffs.

Chicago Cubs have a starting rotation problem

Chicago must add more depth to its starting rotation. Not bringing back Imanaga could cause the Cubs to fall behind NL contenders like the back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies, both of which have elite rotations.

The Cubs have a solid foundation with righty Cade Horton, a Rookie of the Year finalist, veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd and Justin Steele, who is returning from Tommy John surgery. Still, they must add a top-tier starter and possibly a middle-of-the-rotation or depth piece to support those players.

With the surprising decision with Imanaga, it will be interesting to see how Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer navigates this offseason, especially after receiving an extension at the trade deadline. Linked to some top free-agent arms like right-hander Shane Bieber, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Cubs have a few options to explore.

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. You can find my other work on Southside Showdown from FanSided and at Chicitysports where I cover all Chicago sports. When not watching sports, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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