Shota Imanaga, the 32-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, is now a free agent after the team chose not to extend his contract. The decision was made despite Imanaga's impressive performance over his first two years in Major League Baseball.
Imanaga signed with the Cubs four years ago on a $53 million guaranteed deal and quickly established himself as one of the top pitchers in the league. His ability to perform under pressure, combined with his strong work ethic, has made him a valuable asset to the team.
However, Imanaga's season was cut short due to injuries, which affected his performance towards the end of the year. The Cubs had discussed their plan to address these issues and provide additional support during the offseason.
The decision not to extend Imanaga's contract leaves the Cubs with several options for their starting pitching depth in the future. They can still offer him a qualifying offer, worth around $22 million, if they want to keep him on the team. If he declines this offer, Imanaga will become an unrestricted free agent and be able to pursue other opportunities.
For his part, Imanaga has built up a strong platform for himself as a free agent, with several teams likely to express interest in signing him. His experience and skills make him a highly sought-after player, especially given his impressive performance over the past two years.
The Cubs' decision to not extend their offer to Imanaga will be closely watched by fans and other teams alike. The move highlights the competitive nature of the MLB offseason and how quickly players can become free agents.
Imanaga signed with the Cubs four years ago on a $53 million guaranteed deal and quickly established himself as one of the top pitchers in the league. His ability to perform under pressure, combined with his strong work ethic, has made him a valuable asset to the team.
However, Imanaga's season was cut short due to injuries, which affected his performance towards the end of the year. The Cubs had discussed their plan to address these issues and provide additional support during the offseason.
The decision not to extend Imanaga's contract leaves the Cubs with several options for their starting pitching depth in the future. They can still offer him a qualifying offer, worth around $22 million, if they want to keep him on the team. If he declines this offer, Imanaga will become an unrestricted free agent and be able to pursue other opportunities.
For his part, Imanaga has built up a strong platform for himself as a free agent, with several teams likely to express interest in signing him. His experience and skills make him a highly sought-after player, especially given his impressive performance over the past two years.
The Cubs' decision to not extend their offer to Imanaga will be closely watched by fans and other teams alike. The move highlights the competitive nature of the MLB offseason and how quickly players can become free agents.
. He's been on fire for the past two years and has been one of the most consistent pitchers in the league 
. I mean, sure, injuries have always been a bit of a concern for him, but that's something teams can work around with some savvy roster moves 
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and I've no doubt he'll get snatched up by another team willing to give him the contract he deserves 
. But it's interesting that the Cubs decided to let him hit the open market instead of offering him more stability 
. Guess we'll just have to wait and see what kind of offers he gets 
. And yet, they're just gonna let him walk without even giving him another shot? It seems like they're already looking ahead to the future and don't want to commit to another 4 years with him 
. If he's not getting the money he wants from the Cubs, teams are gonna come knocking because they know what he can bring to the table 
. And honestly, Imanaga has got some big shoes to fill if he wants to stay relevant in this league 
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. I mean, his injuries are a huge blow to any team, but you'd think they could've worked something out with the $22 million offer. Now he's gotta navigate the free agent market and find a new home, which is always nerve-wracking for players 
Imanaga's been a beast on the mound for years now, and you'd think they'd want to keep him around. But at the same time, I can see why they'd want to shake things up. The Cubs are always looking to upgrade their roster, right? 
He's got all the skills and experience, so it'll be interesting to see what kind of offers he gets. And yeah, the Cubs' move is definitely gonna set off some ripples in the offseason... 
... Shota Imanaga was like a phenom in his prime! He came out of nowhere with that $53 million deal and dominated on the mound! 
Now he's a free agent? It's crazy how quickly things can change. The Cubs have got to be thinking about the future and what they're gonna do next. I mean, if they want him back, it'll only cost 'em 22 mil 
. Still think he'll get some big offers from other teams, though!
I mean, who else can say they've been a key player for one of the biggest teams in baseball? Now he gets to start fresh and explore other options. Fingers crossed he finds a team that'll give him the same love and support... 
They need to prioritize their team's needs and rebuild their starting pitching depth.
I feel bad for Shota, he's been with the Cubs for four years and they're letting him go without an extension? He's had a great run here and was one of their top pitchers. I know injuries happen but it's disappointing that the team didn't want to make an effort to keep him around. 
Now he'll have to wait and see what other teams offer him, fingers crossed he finds a good fit! 
i think there are plenty of teams who'll be eager to add someone with his level of talent and experience. personally, i think the cubs made the right call... not because they didn't want to keep him, but more so cuz their rotation needs some fresh blood 
he's still gonna be a top-tier pitcher, no doubt about it 
I feel bad for Cubs fans, but it's all part of the game, right?