After weeks of inactivity, the Chicago Cubs finally made a splash in the free agent waters on Tuesday after reportedly adding one of Japan’s top arms to their bullpen.
The Cubs and pitcher Shota Imanaga have agreed to terms on an undisclosed deal, according to multiple reports. While the details of the contract remain unknown, the pact is expected to be finalized after the 30-year-old Japanese sensation undergoes a physical on Thursday, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Regarded as one top remaining available players of the offseason, Imanaga’s decision to head to the Windy City marks a notable coup for the Cubs, who now have immediate help in the wake of letting two-time All-Star Marcus Stroman hit free agency.
Tuesday’s news also sets in motion another anticipated 2024 MLB debut of a touted Japanese free agent, following Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s massive deal to join Shohei Ohtani on the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in the offseason.
Imanaga will make his transition to the U.S. following an eight-year run with the Yokohama BayStars in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. In 2023, Imanaga posted a solid stat line of 188 strikeouts and 24 walks with 2.66 ERA across 24 games (159 innings pitched); for his career, the southpaw owns a 3.18 ERA with a NPB career record of 64–50.
