The Chicago Cubs made a shocking selection on Tuesday by declining their membership choice to increase left-hander Shota Imanaga’s contract for 3 extra seasons, which triggered his $15 million participant choice for 2026 — an choice he selected to not train, making him a free agent.
The information was reported by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
Imanaga went 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA in 173.1 innings throughout a spectacular rookie season in 2024, ending fifth in the Nationwide League Cy Younger Award voting and fourth within the NL Rookie of the Yr Award. He was unable to copy that success in 2025, going 9-8 with a 3.73 ERA over 144.2 innings in 25 begins.
Imanaga’s postseason efficiency, together with a probably exorbitant price ticket, may additionally justify the Cubs’ resolution to not retain him. The 32-year-old had an 8.10 ERA in 6.2 innings through the 2025 playoffs.
