After making it back to the playoff in 2025, the Chicago Cubs aren't looking to give up their seat at the postseason table . However, their 2026 pitching staff would look mighty different without Shota Imanaga leading the way .

That is looking like more of a reality though, as the Cubs have declined their option to extend Imanaga's contract to a fifth year, via Jesse Rogers of ESPN. In turn, the ace has declined his 2026 option. Now, Imanaga will enter free agency.

That doesn't mean he is 100 percent done with the Cubs. Chicago could still offer him a qualifying offer, coming in at just over $22 million. They'd either get at least one more year of Imanaga or receive a draft pick in return should he leave. However, the Cubs haven't yet made a qualifying offer decision , via Rogers

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