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The Chicago Cubs made a stunning alternative on Tuesday by declining their membership possibility to increase left-hander Shota Imanaga’s contract for 3 extra seasons, which triggered his $15 million participant possibility for 2026 — an possibility he selected to not train, making him a free agent.
The information was reported by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
Imanaga went 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA in 173.1 innings throughout a spectacular rookie season in 2024, ending fifth in the Nationwide League Cy Younger Award voting and fourth within the NL Rookie of the Yr Award. He was unable to duplicate that success in 2025, going 9-8 with a 3.73 ERA over 144.2 innings in 25 begins.
Imanaga’s postseason efficiency, together with a doubtlessly exorbitant price ticket, might additionally justify the Cubs’ determination to not retain him. The 32-year-old had an 8.10 ERA in 6.2 innings throughout the 2025 playoffs.
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