Cubs handed tough ultimatum after Shota Imanaga’s surprise contract decision

Just one year removed from a top-5 finish in National League Cy Young voting, the marriage between left-hander Shota Imanaga and the Chicago Cubs appears to be at an end. After the team rejected their option to extend his contract to a fifth year, he had an option to exercise a $15 million player option for next season, which he declined.

It's a dramatic, although not totally unexpected move that could have major implications for the Cubs this offseason. This is a team in dire need of a true top-of-the-rotation arm and, as we saw down the stretch and into the postseason, Imanaga's inability to keep the ball in the yard prevents him from being that guy.

That's not to say he's invaluable - not in the least. Looking at it from the Cubs' viewpoint though, extending the deal to five years would have taken Imanaga into his mid-30s and, with a potential lockout looming after the 2026 season, it's hard to jump in feet first here.

Shota Imanaga's late-season regression clearly gave the Cubs pause

Across the board, he took a step backward this year. His FIP jumped a full run (3.72 to 4.86), walk and home run rates increased and his strikeout rate fell. Injuries limited him to 25 starts and 144 2/3 innings and, in terms of ERA+, he was, more or less, a league average pitcher.

After getting hit hard by the Brewers in Game 2 of the NLDS in Milwaukee (2.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 2 HR), Craig Counsell didn't use the southpaw again in the remaining three games, further proof of the team's lack of faith in his ability to prevent the long ball.

With Imanaga gone, the Cubs now have another $15 million in their war chest - and that improved financial flexibility should allow Jed Hoyer to go get the ace his team so badly needs. Of course, Chicago could extend a qualifying offer - which would keep him in the fold for 2026, without the long-term risk that came with pushing his deal out to five years, but we'll have to wait and see how Hoyer handles that decision.

Top names and prospective rotation targets on the free agent market include former Cubs farmhand Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Shane Bieber and Michael King - not to mention the numerous potential trade fits that make sense, as well.