The free agency market just welcomed one of its most intriguing available arms—and the Chicago Cubs inexplicably let him walk. Shota Imanaga, the 32-year-old Japanese left-handed starter who dazzled in his rookie MLB campaign, is now available after both sides declined their respective options . This bombshell represents one of the most baffling offseason decisions in recent memory, creating a unique opportunity for savvy front offices looking to add a quality mid-rotation arm at reasonable cost. While Imanaga experienced some regression in 2025, posting a 3.73 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across 144.2 innings compared to his All-Star 2024 season (2.91 ERA, 174 strikeouts), he remains a reliable starting pitcher capable of giving teams 150+ innings annually.

The market for Imanaga is already hea

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