Shota Imanaga Reportedly Accepts Cubs' $22M Contract Qualifying Offer

The Chicago Cubs are bringing back Shota Imanaga after all.

It seemed like the partnership was over when ESPN's Jesse Rogers reported on Nov. 4 that the team rejected its option to extend his contract to a fifth year.

On Tuesday, however, Imanaga reportedly committed to one more year with the Cubs after accepting the team's qualifying offer worth a shade over $22 million.

The southpaw's initial contract with the only MLB team he has ever known was an unusual one. Nick Deeds of MLB Trade Rumors explained the situation in September and noted the $57 million club option was for the 2026-28 seasons if the Cubs exercised it. If they declined it, Imanaga would have the $15 million player option for 2026.

If he exercised that player option, it would give the Cubs another club option for two years and $42 million for 2027 and 2028. Declining that would give the pitcher a $15 million player option for 2027.

Ultimately, both sides declined all the options and came to terms on a temporary solution that will keep him with the North Siders in the short term.

He was an immediate sensation in his first season in 2024 with a 2.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 174 strikeouts in 173.1 innings. He was named to the All-Star Game and finished in fifth place in National League Cy Young voting.

Imanaga became even more important for the Cubs in 2025 when Justin Steele was lost for the season in April because of an elbow injury that required surgery. However, he dealt with injury concerns of his own and missed significant time.

When healthy, he took a step back but was still effective and one reason why the team made the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season.

He posted a 3.73 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 117 strikeouts in 144.2 innings during the regular season but struggled down the stretch with a 6.51 ERA in September and 8.10 ERA in two postseason appearances.

Imanaga will have a chance to bounce back, though, and help the Cubs chase more playoff opportunities for the next three seasons after agreeing to a new deal.