Free-agent miss Cubs fans were furious about became a blessing in disguise

Same story, different offseason. As was the case last year, the Chicago Cubs approach the winter in need of pitching help. If anything, their need is more dire than it was 12 months ago, with the majority of the rotation departing and a bullpen with more questions than answers.

Last time around, rampant speculation connected the Cubs to Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai, a 27-year-old right-hander making the jump from overseas. For weeks, rumors connected the club to the NPB ace who had posted a 1.92 ERA for the Seibu Lions the year prior. Then, out of nowhere, the Houston Astros seemed to come out of nowhere, guaranteeing Imai $54 million over three years.

It was clear the expectation was Imai would slot in alongside Hunter Brown atop the rotation. Instead, before the season was over, he was out of the rotation entirely and was scarcely trusted by manager Joe Espada. Imai struggled badly adjusting to American life - something that may not have been as big of an issue had he signed with the Cubs given their multiple Japanese signings in recent years, but alas.

“It’s been way (more) difficult than I thought,” Imai said late this summer. “Everything is new. I just have to try out everything step by step, try to figure out how to adapt, how to adjust. For my second year, it won’t be my first year, so I’ll have to adjust well more and start performing with more consistency.”

Tatsuya Imai would have only complicated Cubs' shaky pitching picture

His deal has player options for both 2027 and 2028. When he signed the deal, the only reason that seemed relevant was the potential he could opt out and re-test the open market with a year under his belt. Now, barring a surprise decision to return to Japan, he's a lock to be back with the Astros next season, in search of dramatically better results.

Imai finished the year with just 76 2/3 innings of work, pitching to an unimpressive 4.93 ERA and 6.0 BB/9 mark. He was sharper out of the pen (2.00 ERA, 25 Ks in 18 IP) but Houston both needs and expects him to be a starter again.

The Cubs, meanwhile, will enter 2027 with a completely overhauled starting rotation. Craig Counsell entered this season with Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon and Edward Cabrera penciled in. Boyd and Imanaga are set to hit free agency, the team dumped Taillon this summer, Horton is recovering from a major elbow surgery and Cabrera was a disaster in his first year with Chicago.

There are some names to keep an eye on overseas again this winter, but the cautionary tale that comes with Imai's chaotic first season in the big leagues is a nice reminder that nothing can be taken for granted.

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