Shota Imanaga just made things complicated for the Cubs this offseason

One of the first decisions that will need to be made this offseason is the contract status of Shota Imanaga. The responsibility first lies with the Cubs, who hold a club option that doubles as a three-year extension worth $57MM. If the Cubs decline that option, Imanaga then holds a $15MM player option for the 2026 season. If both options are declined, Imanaga will become a free agent.

Even entertaining the idea that Imanaga could free agency this offseason seemed like a moot point as recently as June, considering the 32-year-old starting pitcher was the ace of the starting rotation. At that point, the easiest decision facing the Cubs was exercising the club option, ensuring that Imanaga would be under control through the 2028 season.

Cubs have a real Shota Imanaga problem—and no easy answer

With the offseason having arrived for the Cubs, the conversation now has a different tone. Imanaga struggled during the closing month of the season, posting a 6.51 ERA in 27 and 2/3 innings pitched with 10 home runs given up. Things weren't much better for Imanaga in the playoffs, considering he needed an opener in his start against the San Diego Padres, and his only appearance against the Milwaukee Brewers was a disaster. Imanaga's struggles have been so pronounced that the Cubs went out of their way to avoid having to use him in Game 5 of the NLDS.

During an early preview of the Cubs' offseason, The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma suggested that how Imanaga ended the season may have shifted the approach the front office will have with his contract this offseason.

Knowing how the Cubs operate, it seems that they will take Imanaga's struggles into account, along with the potential work stoppage after the 2026 season, as the reason why they won't exercise the club option. From there, given how Imanaga feels about the Cubs and his time in Chicago, it would make sense for him to pick up the $15MM player option. There might be a larger deal available for him on the open market, but that isn't the guarantee it once was.

If that is the scenario that plays out, and Imanaga is back with the Cubs through way of his exercising his player option, the Cubs will have the same question next offseason with a club option that would essentially be a two-year extension. The option converts to a player option if the Cubs don't exercise it.

Regardless, it doesn't appear that the Cubs are willing to let Imanaga hit free agency this offseason. Above all else, the Cubs have a need for pitching and depth this offseason. It wouldn't make sense for them to be eager to let Imanaga walk, even with the struggles he had to close out the year.