Shota Imanaga hits free agency after rejecting Cubs option, could be Phillies Japanese Ambassador but would probably pass

Well, that’s one way to shake up the free-agent market. Shota Imanaga, the Chicago Cubs’ Opening Day starter just seven months ago, is now a free agent after the team declined to pick up his contract option.

In a rare twist, Shota Imanaga also declined his own $15 million player option for 2026, making him one of the more intriguing names suddenly available.

Shota Imanaga is a free agent

Breaking Cubs news: Lefty starter Shota Imanaga is a free agent, sources tell ESPN. The team rejected their option to extend his contract out to a fifth year. That triggered his ability to exercise a $15 million player option for 2026. He declined that as well.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) November 4, 2025

Shota Imanaga, 32, was solid last season, posting a 3.73 ERA over 144.2 innings. That came after an impressive rookie campaign in 2024 when he put up a 2.91 ERA across 173.1 innings and even earned down-ballot Cy Young votes.

The guy can pitch, no question about it but his path to free agency is complicated.

When Imanaga signed with the Cubs in 2024, his deal included multiple layers of options. The Cubs could extend him to a five-year, $80 million contract at the end of Year 2, or decline and trigger his $15 million player option for 2026.

Chicago said “nah” to the extension, Imanaga said “nah” to the player option, and now he’s free to test the market.

The numbers say he’s a good starter.

The market will probably treat him that way too. From a Phillies perspective, this feels like one of those situations where it’s better to admire from afar.

Philadelphia did reportedly pursue Imanaga before he came to MLB, so the interest has been there. He’d definitely boost the rotation depth on paper, especially with Zack Wheeler recovering from thoracic outlet surgery and Ranger Suárez potentially walking in free agency.

When you really dig into Shota Imanaga’s profile, it’s hard to see the fit.

He’s a fly-ball lefty. A good one, but still a fly-ball lefty.

That’s not exactly the recipe for success at Citizens Bank Park, where even a lazy pop-up can find the seats in right. He also has a tendency to give up home runs in bunches, which would only get worse in Philadelphia’s cozy dimensions.

If he were coming cheap, maybe you take a flier. But he’s not. The man just turned down a $15 million player option and a three-year deal from the Cubs. He’s clearly looking for a long-term payday, and at age 32, this is probably his last big contract. Someone’s going to pay him, and it won’t be cheap.

Phillies Japanese Ambassador is certainly intriguing

Imanaga is talented, and the Japanese connection would make him an easy player to root for. In another world, he could’ve been the Phillies’ ambassador to Asia, a marketing dream with legitimate talent to back it up. But the fit just isn’t there.

He’s a good pitcher in the wrong park, at the wrong time, for the wrong price. Free agency is fun, but that’s a no from me, brother.

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