MLB: Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks Mar 29, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) reacts after the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

How the Chicago Cubs can be compensated after Shota Imanaga fallout

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Tyler Koerth | Last updated Nov 5, 2025 9:26 AM ET

The Chicago Cubs and left-handed starting pitcher Shota Imanaga appear to be heading in separate directions. After the organization declined the ability to extend his contract out to five years, instead of four, a player opt out option for the 2026 season was triggered, which Imanaga chose to exercise.

In doing so, Imanaga voided $53.25 million of what was left on a potential five year contract, with him previously scheduled to make $15.5 million in 2026, $20.5 million in 2027, and $17.25 million in 2028. With how he has performed over his first two seasons with the Cubs, this is a smart business decision by him as he now is a free agent and is inline to get paid more than his previous contract had him set up to receive.

Despite this loss, it’s possible that Chicago can still be compensated for Imanaga’s departure. The next step in order to ensure this happens would be for the Cubs to extend him a qualifying offer. Although he is surely going to reject the $22.025 million deal, it would give the team a Draft pick in return should he sign elsewhere.

By extending a qualifying offer to Shota Imanaga, the Chicago Cubs can receive draft pick compensation

Before the Imanaga situation unfolded, Kyle Tucker was expected to be the only Cubs player essentially guaranteed to receive a qualifying offer. As mentioned earlier, this move is largely procedural and intended to secure draft pick compensation once a player signs elsewhere. However, with Imanaga’s departure, the Cubs will now need to take the same approach with him as well.

For the Cubs, draft pick compensation would come in the form of an additional selection after the Competitive Balance Round B, which typically falls in the mid-70s overall. Assuming a qualifying offer is extended to Tucker and Imanaga, Chicago is likely to receive two picks in that range.

This sets Chicago up to potentially have four picks in the top 100 in next year’s MLB Draft. The only way that could change is if the Cubs signed a player this off-season who had also been extended a qualifying offer. They then would lose a draft pick in the form of their second-highest selection, as well as $500,000 from their international bonus pool for the upcoming signing period. Should they sign two qualified free agents,they would also forfeit their third-highest pick.

With how budget tight the team has been, securing these extra draft picks is essential. If they are not going to retain higher salaried players, or sign top tier free agents, then this is the route they must take. This process is by no means glamorous, but it is necessary based on the path they are choosing to take.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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