Cubs' plan for Tatsuya Imai might unravel because of one key contract concern

Over the next two weeks, Tatsuya Imai is going to be one of the main talking points of the offseason. The Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees appear to be the favorites for Imai, but it might not be that straightforward. While the Yankees are avoiding giving much impression that they like Imai, the 27-year-old starting pitcher may not be keen on the idea of playing in Chicago.

Imai's geographical preferences notwithstanding, it seems that the Cubs have a cap to their interest level in Imai. There isn't a clear consensus on whether Imai translates to a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, and the Cubs may be among the teams that believe he won't be.

Tatsuya Imai is on the Cubs' radar, but it doesn't sound like Chicago is sold on his potential.

The Athletic's (subscription required) Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney recently responded to questions from readers and provided some insight into the Cubs' interest in Imai. Mooney suggested that if Imai's bidding reaches the high-end of his projection--$190 million--the Cubs are likely to pass. He adds that the Cubs don't appear convinced that he will become an ace-caliber pitcher worthy of such investment.

While there is reason for the Cubs to have belief in their pitching infrastructure, if the organization doesn't feel like Imai is capable of being an ace, even with the tools they can afford him, it would stand to reason there is a chance, if not likelihood, they get outbid.

That being said, if Imai's bidding craters like Shota Imanaga's did when he first made the jump to Major League Baseball, the Cubs certainly won't pass up an opportunistic deal.

In other words, at their price, the Cubs are very interested in Imai. If it's not at their price, the Cubs won't move out of their comfort zone. For better or worse, that is how free agency needs to be viewed for Cubs fans moving forward. The Cubs would rather be stubborn than adapt to market trends.

If the Cubs wind up missing on Imai, Zac Gallen becomes the clear option to address their need in the rotation, assuming they aren't able to trade for a cost-controlled starting pitcher.

The scenario that can't happen is the Cubs opening spring training with the idea that the eventual return of Justin Steele will be their rotation upgrade. That is a failing mentality and one that would explain why the Cubs have proved incapable of overtaking the Milwaukee Brewers at the top of the National League Central.