Cubs Notes: Imai, Okamoto

Tatsuya Imai got here off the board this afternoon. He agreed to phrases with the Astros on a three-year, $54MM assure with opt-outs after the primary two seasons. It was each a shock touchdown spot and contract, because the NPB right-hander had usually been anticipated to tug a nine-figure deal that most likely would have priced him out of Houston.

The Cubs have been among the many groups mostly speculated as a match for Imai over his 45-day posting window. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic wrote final month that Chicago was concerned however reluctant to make a long-term dedication that valued him as a top-of-the-rotation arm. The remainder of the market evidently shared that trepidation.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com writes that the Cubs seem to have been the highest competitors to Houston by the tip of the signing interval. Each Feinsand and Jon Heyman of The New York Publish counsel that neither the Yankees nor Mets have been closely concerned. The Yankees could also be extra centered on the lineup — they reportedly have a proposal out to Cody Bellinger — whereas earlier reporting has indicated the Mets aren’t wanting to make a long-term funding in a free agent starter. Imai apparently was not going to be an exception, as Feinsand writes that the Mets weren’t satisfied he’d be a top-of-the-rotation starter.

An higher mid-rotation starter has been the Cubs’ greatest want all offseason. They’ve but to make any strikes within the rotation other than declining their choice on after which retaining Shota Imanaga by way of the qualifying provide. They’re nonetheless missing a high-end complement to Cade Horton on the prime of the workers, a minimum of till Justin Steele returns from April’s elbow surgical procedure.

Imanaga had a horrible closing few weeks as his dwelling run price spiked. Matthew Boyd was glorious within the first half however appeared to put on down because the season went alongside. His 179 2/3 innings pitched have been 101 greater than he’d thrown in any MLB season since 2019. Boyd took a 2.34 earned run common into the All-Star Break however allowed a 4.63 mark over his closing 12 appearances. His strikeout price dropped greater than 4 proportion factors within the second half. He’s headed into his age-35 season. Jameson Taillon, Colin Rea and Javier Assad profile as back-end or swing choices.

The Cubs might nonetheless pursue any of Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez or Zac Gallen in the event that they wish to add a starter by way of free company. Groups have set vital asking costs in talks involving beginning pitching, although the likes of MacKenzie Gore or Kris Bubic stay commerce candidates.

RosterResource calculates Chicago’s luxurious tax projection round $210MM. That leaves them nearly $35MM under the bottom threshold and $21MM shy of their season-ending mark from 2025. They need to have some payroll flexibility. In the event that they don’t like the worth on any obtainable beginning pitchers, they may probably flip their consideration to the offense as a technique to substitute a few of the manufacturing misplaced from Kyle Tucker (whom they’re not anticipated to re-sign).

The Cubs have been loosely linked to 3rd basemen, specifically. Experiences have tied them to Alex Bregman and Eugenio Suárez, although president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer gave a agency vote of confidence to in-house third baseman Matt Shaw. This night, Heyman listed the Cubs amongst a lot of groups which have proven some curiosity in NPB star Kazuma Okamoto. The best-handed hitting nook infielder has till Sunday afternoon to signal.

Okamoto has been additionally been tied to the Padres, Pirates, Blue Jays, Pink Sox and Angels this offseason. Most of these groups make extra sense as touchdown spots than the Cubs, who’ve Shaw and Michael Busch on the corners. Plugging Okamoto in at designated hitter would block the trail to at-bats for younger hitters Moisés Ballesteros and Owen Caissie. Okamoto might take at-bats towards lefty pitching from Busch however would have a cleaner path to on a regular basis taking part in time with a crew like Pittsburgh (at third base) or San Diego (at first base).