Shota Imanaga continues to make a key Cubs' offseason decision a no-brainer

It didn't matter in the end, with the San Francisco Giants walking off the Chicago Cubs and completing a three-game sweep of the North Siders on Thursday afternoon, but no blame can be dropped at the feet of left-hander Shota Imanaga who was, once again, brilliant.

Imanaga tossed seven innings and allowed three runs, continuing an especially impressive run since returning from the injured list in late June. He has allowed more than three runs just one time in his last dozen starts, further evidence of just how consistent he's been. Of course, the team's offensive woes have proved costly: Chicago is 6-6 in those 12 games.

On the year, the soon-to-be 32-year-old boasts a 3.08 ERA in 20 starts spanning 117 innings of work and more of his peripherals are in line with his impressive rookie season. So why are we talking about Imanaga on the heels of a third consecutive Cubs' loss? Because his strong second half is making one offseason decision cut-and-dry for president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer.

Cubs have no choice but to pick up Shota Imanaga's option this winter

At the end of the season, the Cubs will have the choice of whether or not to pick up his 2028 club option. Assuming they do (it would nothing short of shocking if they didn't), it essentially amounts to a three-year, $57 million extension that would keep him under control through his age-35 season. Given how consistent he's been in his first two years in the league, this feels like a mere formality for the front office.

Time and time again, he has been the Cubs' stopper - a role he certainly tried to fill on Thursday at Oracle Park. Given Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd are each under team control only through 2026 and Colin Rea holds a player option for next year, there's a decent amount of long-term uncertainty outside of NL Rookie of the Year candidate Cade Horton.

Picking up that option and guaranteeing Sho-Time continues at the Friendly Confines for years to come lends added stability to the rotation and ensures a fan favorite doesn't hit the open market this winter - one that already carries major implications for Hoyer and the Cubs.