(Chicago) The Chicago Cubs upgraded their rotation Thursday by signing a four-year, US$53 million ($71 million) contract to Japanese left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga.
This pact, which comes with an option year left to the discretion of the club, could therefore be five years and 80 million in total.
The Cubs will be able to exercise the option year for 2028 following the 2025 or 2026 campaigns. If the team chooses not to exercise it, then Imanaga will have the opportunity to terminate his agreement and become a free agent.
The Cubs will also have to pay $9,825,000 in compensation to the Yokohama BayStars of the Japan Central League. This amount could be increased if they exercise the option provided for in the Imanaga contract.
Aged 30, Imanaga won the World Baseball Classic final against the United States last year. He had until 5 p.m. Thursday to reach an agreement with a major baseball club.
Imanaga was 7-4 with a 2.80 ERA in 22 starts last season with the BayStars in Yokohama, Japan. He struck out 174 batters and allowed just 24 walks in 148 innings. He has a career record of 64-50 and a 3.18 ERA in eight seasons with the club.
He was considered the second best pitcher to play in Japan on the market after Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who agreed to a 12-year, $325 million pact with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Cubs have been quiet since hiring Craig Counsell as manager in November to replace David Ross. The Illinois team was in the playoff race through September, going 83-79 after two straight seasons below .500.
Imanaga arrives after the departure of Marcus Stroman, who became a free agent. The Cubs also have left-hander Justin Steele as well as right-handers Kyle Hendricks and Jameson Taillon.
