<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-rumors-chicago-adding-another-starter-shota-imanaga');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cubs rumors: Insider sees Chicago adding another starter after Shota Imanaga decision');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Cre.jpg"><figcaption>Aug 30, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (11) walks off the field after questioning a call during the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cubs rumors: Insider sees Chicago adding another starter after Shota Imanaga decision</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-11-19T17:50:00-08:00">November 19th, 5:50pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-11-19T17:51:14-08:00">November 19th, 5:51pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago Cubs may not be done upgrading their rotation. Despite <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-shota-imanaga-signs-qualifying-offer-chicago-despite-declined-options">left-hander Shota Imanaga accepting</a> the team’s qualifying offer this week, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi believes the Cubs will still pursue another high-end starter before the conclusion of the 2025 MLB offseason.</p><p>The MLB Network posted to its official X (formerly known as Twitter), sharing a clip of Morosi outlining Chicago’s <a href="https://x.com/MLBNetwork/status/1991205078968205676" rel="noopener">ongoing pursuit</a> of pitching depth and naming a few potential targets by name.</p><p>“There is going to be one more significant pitcher added to this list… Michael King has been on the Cubs’ mind. Dylan Cease has been on their mind.”</p><p>The report from Morosi adds an intriguing wrinkle to what was already shaping up as a busy winter for the Cubs front office. Imanaga’s decision to accept his one-year, $22 million qualifying offer came as a surprise. Many around the league expected him to test free agency in search of a multi-year deal. Instead, the Japanese left-hander chose to bet on himself after a mixed 2025 campaign that showed durability but was marred by home run issues.</p><p>Still, his return doesn’t change the front office’s mindset. The Cubs view Imanaga as a valuable mid-rotation arm, not the ace-level addition they need to anchor the staff alongside Cade Horton once Justin Steele returns from injury.</p><p>Morosi’s mention of Dylan Cease and Michael King signals that Chicago’s search for power pitching remains active. Cease, a former Cubs prospect, would be a full-circle addition with frontline strikeout ability. King, meanwhile, offers versatility and electric stuff that would fit the team’s emphasis on swing-and-miss depth.</p><p>After finishing 92-70 and falling in the NLDS to the Milwaukee Brewers, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-rumors-looking-dylan-cease-michael-king-mlb-free-agency">the Cubs appear determined to push deeper</a> in 2026. With their young offensive core already producing at an elite level and the front office signaling clear urgency, adding another power pitcher could complete a roster built to win now. A top-tier arm could be the final piece that transforms the club from playoff hopeful to legitimate World Series contender ready to challenge the National League elite.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cubs rumors: Insider sees Chicago adding another starter after Shota Imanaga decision

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-shota-imanaga-signs-qualifying-offer-chicago-despite-declined-options');   ga('set', 'title', 'Shota Imanaga signs qualifying offer with Cubs despite declined options');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Shota-Imanaga-of-the-Chicago-Cubs.jpg"><figcaption>Michael McLoone-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Shota Imanaga signs qualifying offer with Cubs despite declined options</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-11-18T13:51:25-08:00">November 18th, 1:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-11-18T13:51:25-08:00">November 18th, 1:51pm</time><address><a>Matty Breisch</a>Matty Breisch is a Senior Editor who specializes in NFL and WWE content at ClutchPoints. He can be read at Heavy, FanSided, The Needle Drop, Philadelphia Sports Network, and right here at ClutchPoints. Are you ready to read about football and wrestling? Well, you've come to the right place.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After making waves by <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-shota-imanaga-free-agent-dueling-contract-rejections">declining his player option</a>, Shota Imanaga will be back in Chicago with the Cubs after all, signing his $22.025 million qualifying offer to return on a one-year deal.</p><p>Breaking down the news on social media after it became official, The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney revealed that Imanaga made the decision just before Tuesday’s deadline, ensuring that a top pitching option <a href="https://x.com/PJ_Mooney/status/1990884664043548832" rel="noopener">will not hit the open market until late 2026</a>.</p><p>Initially coming over to MLB after a successful career with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of the NPB, Imanaga immediately found success with the Cubs in 2024, finishing the season with a 15-3 record, a 2.91 ERA, and <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/imanash01.shtml" rel="noopener">6.21 SO/BB</a>, which led all pitchers. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-shota-imanaga-exclusive-list-rookie-all-star-nod">Imanaga was named an All-Star</a> and looked like a potential stalwart for a Chicago team looking to make a run. In 2025, however, things fell back to earth for “The Throwing Philosopher,” going 9-8 with a 3.73 ERA and a 4.50 SO/BB.</p><p>In early November, the Cubs declined Imanaga’s three-year club option, with the pitcher rejecting his own $15 million player option to seemingly send him to free agency. But now, with the $22.025 million qualifying offer picked up – making Imanaga one of <a href="https://x.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1990889451371843630?s=20" rel="noopener">only four players to pick it up</a> – the two sides can see if Imanaga can return to his 2024 form and seemingly lock up a new long-term deal in Chicago, or if he will have to enter unrestricted free agency in 2026 shortly after the World Series.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Shota Imanaga signs qualifying offer with Cubs despite declined options

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/3-teams-that-should-steal-shota-imanaga-away-from-cubs');   ga('set', 'title', '3 teams that should steal Shota Imanaga away from Cubs');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/X-teams-that-should-steal-Shota-Imanaga-away-from-Cubs.jpg"></figure><h1>3 teams that should steal Shota Imanaga away from Cubs</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-11-09T09:01:47-08:00">November 9th, 9:01am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-11-09T09:01:47-08:00">November 9th, 9:01am</time><address><a>Garrett Kerman</a>Garrett Kerman also goes by the name of The Fight Analyst. He covers all combat sports, from MMA, to boxing, to even bare-knuckle. He is also very well-versed in all American sports when it comes to news and betting analysis. Whether you want betting advice or some breaking news, Garrett is your guy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Red Sox</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>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 <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-shota-imanaga-free-agent-dueling-contract-rejections">now available after both sides declined their respective options</a>. 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.</p><p>The market for Imanaga is already heating up, with preliminary projections suggesting he’ll command around $43.5 million over three years. That’s a bargain compared to the top-tier free agent arms available this winter. Several teams possess both the financial resources and the immediate need to capitalize on this opportunity. Here are three franchises that should aggressively pursue the talented lefty and potentially create situations far more favorable than anything the Cubs can offer.</p><h2>Los Angeles Dodgers</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Shota-Imanaga-2.jpg"><figcaption>Matt Marton-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The obvious choice, but for perfectly logical reasons. The Dodgers have established themselves as the premier destination for Japanese talent in Major League Baseball, with Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki already thriving in Los Angeles. This infrastructure advantage cannot be overstated—the Dodgers employ dedicated Japanese player operations personnel, including Will Ireton, who serves as cultural intermediary, interpreter, and player development analyst.</p><p>Adding Imanaga to a rotation featuring Ohtani, Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow would create arguably the most dominant starting five in baseball. The Dodgers won the World Series in 2025, and their organizational philosophy suggests they’ll aggressively pursue depth on their pitching staff. Yamamoto’s presence alone provides Imanaga with a familiar peer, while the franchise’s proven ability to maximize Japanese player potential offers genuine developmental appeal.</p><p>Los Angeles’s financial resources are unmatched, and they won’t hesitate to outbid competitors for an All-Star-caliber talent. Imanaga could serve as their fifth starter, providing crucial innings during the regular season and allowing the organization to manage workloads for their elite arms. The Dodgers understand that you can never have too much quality starting pitching, especially given their recent injury history.</p><h2>San Francisco Giants</h2><p>The Giants entered this offseason desperate for pitching, and that desperation has only intensified following their early playoff exit. San Francisco possesses Logan Webb and Robbie Ray anchoring the rotation, but significant depth issues loom beyond that tandem. Landen Roupp showed promise but has durability concerns, while Justin Verlander is hitting free agency and may not return to the organization.</p><p>General Manager Zack Minasian has publicly acknowledged the need for multiple starting pitcher additions, making Imanaga a perfect secondary target if the Giants miss out on the Framber Valdez or Dylan Cease sweepstakes. The Giants desperately need innings, and Imanaga has proven he can consistently deliver them at a reasonable cost.</p><p>San Francisco’s park factors also work in Imanaga’s favor. Coors Field is known for being pitcher-unfriendly, but the Bay Area provides more consistent wind patterns that can suppress fly balls and home runs. This was partially the Cubs’ problem with Imanaga—Wrigley Field’s notorious wind situation turned his fly balls into home runs more frequently than expected. A move to a more neutral park could resurrect his 2024 form.</p><p>Owner Bob Johnson has signaled willingness to spend to improve the roster, and Imanaga represents excellent value for a team that finished well out of contention in the NL West.</p><h2>Boston Red Sox</h2><p>The Red Sox stumbled through another disappointing postseason and understand that their rotation needs reinforcement. Garrett Crochet leads the way, but the team lacks a legitimate number-two starter to complement him. Brayan Bello showed concerning inconsistencies during his playoff appearance, while Lucas Giolitio presents reliability concerns despite flashes of competence.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shota Imanaga is officially a free agent.</p><p>The Red Sox were interested in him when he initially came over from Japan.</p><p>Look for them to immediately check in with him.</p><p>Or the Dodgers will just get him…. <a href="https://t.co/YTHayp2WvJ">pic.twitter.com/YTHayp2WvJ</a></p><p>— Dean Ciriaco (@skippsviewdean) <a href="https://twitter.com/skippsviewdean/status/1985725765527191950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><p>Boston traditionally pursues starting pitcher upgrades, and Imanaga could provide exactly what they need at a mid-rotation price point. The Red Sox likely won’t land Dylan Cease or another elite free agent, making Imanaga an attractive consolation prize. He could immediately slot into their second or third rotation spot and provide stability.</p><p>Craig Breslow’s front office has capital to spend following the team’s inability to secure more premium offensive talent. Investing in rotation depth represents smart asset allocation for a franchise hoping to compete in an increasingly difficult AL East.</p><p>The Bottom Line<br>Shota Imanaga remains a quality starting pitcher entering his age-32 season. While he’s not the game-changing ace that other free agents represent, he offers tremendous value and reliability. The Dodgers represent the obvious destination given their Japanese infrastructure, but the Giants and Red Sox both present compelling cases. All three teams can offer Imanaga something the Cubs could not: certainty, financial commitment, and an organizational environment that values durability and consistency from its pitching staff.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

3 teams that should steal Shota Imanaga away from Cubs

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/3-starting-pitchers-cubs-must-target-with-shota-imanaga-possibly-on-way-out');   ga('set', 'title', '3 starting pitchers Cubs must target with Shota Imanaga possibly on way out');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/X-starting-pitchers-Cubs-must-target-with-Shota-Imanaga-possibly-on-way-out.jpg"></figure><h1>3 starting pitchers Cubs must target with Shota Imanaga possibly on way out</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-11-09T08:35:04-08:00">November 9th, 8:35am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-11-09T08:35:04-08:00">November 9th, 8:35am</time><address><a>Garrett Kerman</a>Garrett Kerman also goes by the name of The Fight Analyst. He covers all combat sports, from MMA, to boxing, to even bare-knuckle. He is also very well-versed in all American sports when it comes to news and betting analysis. Whether you want betting advice or some breaking news, Garrett is your guy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago Cubs face a crossroads in their pitching rotation after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-shota-imanaga-free-agent-dueling-contract-rejections">Shota Imanaga’s unexpected entry into free agency</a>. The Japanese left-handed pitcher, who dazzled fans in his 2024 rookie season with a 2.91 ERA and Cy Young votes, saw his value decline significantly following a 3.73 ERA campaign in 2025 marred by home run issues and injuries. The organization’s decision to decline his three-year, $57 million option indicates they believe reinforcements are necessary rather than banking on redemption from their former All-Star.</p><p>With Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon offering stability in the rotation, the Cubs now must aggressively pursue premier starting pitching talent to solidify their rotation for a World Series run. The free agent market presents several compelling options that could transform the team’s pitching fortunes.</p><h2>Dylan Cease: The High-Ceiling Wild Card</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dylan-Cease-1.jpg"><figcaption>Denis Poroy-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Dylan Cease represents the most intriguing target despite his tumultuous 2025 season with the San Diego Padres. The 29-year-old right-hander finished with a 4.55 ERA across 168 innings and an 8-12 record, a stark departure from his otherworldly 2024 campaign when he posted a 3.47 ERA and finished fourth in Cy Young voting. However, the underlying metrics suggest his 2025 struggles may not define his true ability.</p><p>Cease’s strikeout rate remained elite, registering a 29.8% K-rate among his highest marks in recent memory. His fastball continues to dominate radar guns, sitting above 97 mph and ranking seventh in average velocity among MLB starters. What makes Cease attractive for the Cubs is his durability—he’s completed four straight seasons without missing a single start, placing him among baseball’s most reliable workhorse-type arms.</p><p>The financial projection for Cease centers around $200-225 million over five-to-six years, making him expensive but potentially worth the investment if the Cubs view his 2025 campaign as an anomaly rather than a trend. His stuff remains ace-caliber, and a change of scenery could reignite the form that nearly won him a Cy Young Award just one season ago.</p><h2>Framber Valdez: The Steady Presence</h2><p>Framber Valdez emerges as the safest and most consistent option for a Cubs rotation desperate for stability. The 32-year-old Houston Astros left-hander enters free agency off his sixth consecutive season with a sub-4.00 ERA, posting a 3.66 ERA across 192 innings in 2025 with 187 strikeouts. His durability is remarkable—Valdez hasn’t required an injured list stint in four years, an increasingly rare feat in modern baseball.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Framber Valdez would be such a good pick up for the cubs</p><p>With his elite Groundball rate with one of the best defenses in baseball would go so fucking hard</p><p>but him being a “Cancer” in the clubhouse doesnt get my hopes up with jed going for him</p><p>— Mitch Santini (@mitch_santini) <a href="https://twitter.com/mitch_santini/status/1986908086502674781?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><p>What separates Valdez from his peers is his elite ground-ball rate, generating weak contact at a 51% clip since 2022 that translates to fewer home runs and lower-leverage situations. While his fastball sits in the 95-96 mph range, it’s hardly a soft-tossing pitcher’s profile; rather, Valdez generates outs through command and movement rather than pure velocity. The Cubs would receive a proven performer capable of eating innings and limiting damage in high-leverage situations.</p><p>Valdez’s market value projects to approximately five years and $115-120 million, making him well within the Cubs’ budget and timeline. For a rotation seeking dependability, Valdez represents the ideal #2 starter who won’t dazzle but won’t disappoint.</p><h2>Ranger Suárez: The Overlooked Star</h2><p>Ranger Suárez may be the most underrated option on this year’s free agent pitcher market. The 30-year-old Philadelphia Phillies left-hander posted a career-best 3.20 ERA across 157⅓ innings in 2025, earning All-Star recognition in 2024 despite being surprisingly snubbed from this year’s Midsummer Classic. His performance metrics suggest that oversight was unwarranted.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">In a recent article, four <a href="https://twitter.com/mlbtraderumors?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mlbtraderumors</a> writers voted on where they think top free agents will land.</p><p>Two of the four predicted the to Cubs land Ranger Suárez.</p><p>In 2025:<br>157.1 IP | 3.20 ERA | 1.22 WHIP | 151 K</p><p>Projected Contract: 5 years, $115 million<br><a href="https://t.co/osW7maOTRe">pic.twitter.com/osW7maOTRe</a></p><p>— The Wrigley Wire (@TheWrigleyWire) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheWrigleyWire/status/1986850151835783532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><p>Suárez’s 2025 campaign showcased exceptional control with only a 5.8% walk rate paired with a respectable 23.2% strikeout rate. His ability to generate ground balls at elite rates (51% clip over recent seasons) produces contact management and durability that fits perfectly into a competitive rotation. Like Valdez, Suárez represents a #2-type arm capable of providing consistent, quality innings.</p><p>The Atlantic projects Suárez will command a six-year, $153 million contract, positioning him as a value play compared to Cease. Suárez has never thrown more than 160 innings in a season, raising some durability questions despite his recent health, but his production warrants serious consideration from a Cubs organization seeking proven veteran presence.</p><p>The Cubs must act decisively in the free agent market to compensate for Imanaga’s departure. Whether they pursue Cease’s upside, Valdez’s consistency, or Suárez’s balance of performance and value, immediate action is essential for maintaining competitiveness in 2026.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

3 starting pitchers Cubs must target with Shota Imanaga possibly on way out

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-shota-imanaga-free-agent-dueling-contract-rejections');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cubs’ Shota Imanaga becomes free agent after dueling contract rejections');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Shota-Imanaga.jpg"><figcaption>Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Cubs’ Shota Imanaga becomes free agent after dueling contract rejections</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-11-04T06:44:48-08:00">November 4th, 6:44am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-11-04T06:44:48-08:00">November 4th, 6:44am</time><address><a>Dan Fappiano</a>Dan Fappiano is a Connecticut-based sports journalist with over five years of professional experience. After graduating from Central Connecticut State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism, he has covered every sport from fencing to football in the online and print medium. Dan hopes to see his beloved Bears win a Super Bowl someday.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After making it back to the playoff in 2025, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/why-cubs-craig-counsell-is-all-about-champagne-celebrations-for-clinching-playoffs">Chicago Cubs aren’t looking to give up their seat at the postseason table</a>. However, their 2026 pitching staff would look mighty different <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-shota-imanaga-champagne-celebration">without Shota Imanaga leading the way</a>.</p><p>That is looking like more of a reality though, as the Cubs <a href="https://x.com/JesseRogersESPN/status/1985710418094866647" rel="noopener">have declined</a> 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.</p><p>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 <a href="https://x.com/JesseRogersESPN/status/1985711929482997986" rel="noopener">haven’t yet made a qualifying offer decision</a>, via Rogers.</p><p>If the Cubs <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6717732/2025/10/15/chicago-cubs-shota-imanaga-decisions-offseason/?source=emp_shared_article" rel="noopener">had picked up</a> the fifth-year option, they would then have the opportunity have Imanaga under contract through 2028 for $57.75 million, via Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. But Chicago decided against that plan, now leaving Imanaga’s future up in the air.</p><p>Over his two years with the Cubs, Imanaga put up a 24-11 record with a 3.28 ERA and a 291/51 K/BB ratio. He was an All-Star as a rookie, posting a 15-3 record, 2.91 ERA and a 174/28 K/BB ratio. His numbers dropped a bit in 2025 with nine wins (obviously not all his fault), a 3.73 ERA and a 117/26 K/BB ratio. Imanaga dealt with injuries throughout the campaign as well.</p><p>Perhaps the Cubs are playing the long game and still have Imanaga in their future plans. But as a free agent, every team around the league will have an opportunity to sign the left-hander.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2025 SEASON STATS
IP	ERA	K	WHIP	WINS
33	5.73	13	1.00	1

2025 SEASON STATS
IP	ERA	K	WHIP	WINS
33	5.73	13	1.00	1

Shota Imanaga

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Cubs’ Shota Imanaga becomes free agent after dueling contract rejections

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