"While we've seen plenty of pitchers continue to put up good numbers well into their 30s, Imanaga's 91 mph fastball doesn't project to age as well as others. Then there's the fact that his .219 BABIP against suggests his numbers should have been far worse than they actually were. That's a big gamble, even for a team that should be far more willing and able to absorb a rough contract here or there."
"Well, Imanaga has a $15 million player option for 2026, after which the process starts over again. If he picks it up, the Cubs have another chance to lock him in for two years and $42 million. And if they decline that, Imanaga can again trigger another $15 million option that would get him to his original guarantee of four years and $53 million. That's where things start to get tricky."
The Cubs hold a three-year, $57 million club option on Shōta Imanaga that could lock him in for five years and $80 million total if exercised. Imanaga's performance declined this season, raising concerns about reliability in postseason starts and long-term effectiveness, especially given his 91 mph fastball, age (32), and a low .219 BABIP against that suggests luck influenced results. If the Cubs decline the option, a $15 million player option for 2026 and potential subsequent options could still reach Imanaga's original four-year, $53 million guarantee, creating complex decision points. The front office must weigh the $16 million AAV bargain against risk and roster flexibility.
Read at Cubsinsider
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