Cubs reportedly still interested in Shota Imanaga |
It took long enough, but the Chicago Cubs finally made a move yesterday. Although it was only a minor league move, it is still a move, as that may be the tip of the iceberg as we approach Christmas. It's no secret that this free-agent period has been incredibly frustrating and tedious for most teams, but when it comes to the Cubs and their fans, they are fed up.
All October, you heard Jed Hoyer talk about how much money this team would have and how aggressive they would be in free agency. To his credit, he did swing for the fences right away and hired Craig Counsell as the team's new manager, which signaled a change in direction. However, that has been the only significant move this team has made, as a pair of minor league signings doesn't scream aggressive. With Christmas right around the corner, the Cubs aren't the only team in the league that hasn't done much, as the Shohei Otani sweepstakes halted the market. Even after he signed his massive 700 million dollar deal, the market remains at a standstill as there was so much to unpack from that contract that teams are still shocked at how his contract is legal. Even if that is the case, the Cubs need to start making some moves, or they will run into a situation where all of the good options are off the table. Yoshinbu Yamamoto seemed like a great option, but with his price tag going up by the day, it may be at a point where the Cubs will not overspend. That doesn't mean Hoyer isn't trying or being aggressive; he just doesn't overspend or overpay on players like most teams do, which can be a good thing, but a fatal flaw at the same time. Shōta Imanaga, winning pitcher in the WBC gold medal game, is drawing broad interest from @MLB clubs, including the Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox, and Cubs. Yamamoto is just what this Cubs rotation needs, but with it seeming less likely the team will make him an offer, the Cubs must shift their focus to other pitchers in search of rotation help. The trade market continues to be an option, with Tyler Glasnow and Shane Bieber being the most talked about names, but don't count out Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery in free agency. However, the one name that was talked about a lot with the Cubs earlier this offseason and is gaining steam once again is left-hander Shota Imanaga, as the Cubs continue to be one of the favorites for him. Like Yamamoto, Imanaga hails from the NPB and was posted right before the winter meetings started. Although not as good as Yamamoto, Imanaga is still one of the best pitchers on the market and will be a front-of-the-line starter no matter where he goes. The 30-year-old lefty is seeking a contract in the 4-5 year range, with annual figures reaching close to 20 million per season. That is a risk for someone who has never pitched on an MLB mound before, but compared to what Yamamoto is expected to get, this would be a bargain deal. You never want to hear teams going with a fallback plan, but if this is the fallback plan for the Cubs, it is a great plan. Imanaga is one of the better free-agent pitchers on the market, and with results similar to what Kodai Senga posted during his time overseas, you can see why teams are coveting him right now. Looking at his eight-year professional career, you can see why teams are interested in him, as he has been durable and very consistent. Across 192 games on the NPB circuit, Imanaga has posted a 74-55 record with a sparkling 2.96 ERA. He did that by walking just 301 batters in 1129 innings and striking out more than 1100 batters, as command is undoubtedly not an issue for him. Not only is the command there, but he does a phenomenal job keeping the ball inside the yard, as he has yielded just 118 career-long balls. Imanaga pitched in 24 games this past season and went 7-5 with a 2.66 ERA in 159 innings. He walked 24 and struck out 188 as he is looking to take his talents to the States. When you look at Yamamoto, the thing that comes to mind is his overall dominance, as he can overpower you with any of his five pitches. Imanaga can be overpowering, but does so in a different way as his repitoire isn't at the level of Yamamoto. Still, Imanaga sits in the 93-95 MPH range with his fastball and does a phenomenal job working the corners and changing hitters' eye level. He mixes in a traffic 87 MPH slider, 85 MPH change, and an 80 MPH curve as he has three pitches to go to at any point in the count. This is someone the Cubs rotation desperately needs, and he is a pitcher who will fit in well at Wrigley Field.
Some in the industry believe he could receive an AAV in the $20 million range.pic.twitter.com/cYv3jmTL9I
