The Chicago Cubs face an essential offseason as they try to rebuild their beginning rotation, and one prediction has a former All-Star leaving Chicago for a Nationwide League rival.
Left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga is getting into free company after spending three seasons with the Cubs, and his subsequent contract may take him to a stunning vacation spot.
In his November 4 free-agent predictions for Bleacher Report, MLB analyst Tim Kelly chosen the Miami Marlins as Imanaga’s subsequent staff, projecting a two-year, $34 million contract.
Whereas the prediction doesn’t set up any precise negotiations between Imanaga and Miami, the reasoning behind the potential transfer raises some fascinating questions concerning the pitcher’s future.
For Chicago, shedding Imanaga would add one other complication to an offseason already full of uncertainty surrounding its pitching employees.
Cubs All-Star Shota Imanaga Predicted to Be part of Marlins in $34 Million Deal
Imanaga made a right away impression upon arriving in Chicago in 2024.
The Japanese left-hander earned All-Star honors throughout his rookie marketing campaign, ending with a 15-3 document, 2.91 ERA, and a fifth-place end in Nationwide League Cy Younger voting.
Nonetheless, his efficiency over the next two seasons hasn’t fairly matched these spectacular beginnings.
Imanaga completed 2026 with an 11-10 document and three.77 ERA throughout 32 begins, placing out 174 batters in 174 1/3 innings.
The most important concern has been his tendency to give up residence runs.
Imanaga allowed 35 homers in 2026 after surrendering 31 in 2025. His mixed 66 residence runs allowed over these two seasons tied for probably the most amongst MLB beginning pitchers throughout that span.
That vulnerability helps clarify Kelly’s alternative of Miami.
LoanDepot Park has been one in every of baseball’s harder venues for hitting residence runs, doubtlessly giving Imanaga a greater surroundings to restrict the lengthy ball.
Regardless of his shortcomings, Imanaga has demonstrated that he can deal with a considerable workload whereas offering high quality innings.
The extra rapid challenge could be shedding one other reliable beginning choice to a fellow Nationwide League membership.
Cubs Face Tough Rotation Selections Forward of 2027 Season
Imanaga’s potential departure is just one piece of a a lot bigger problem dealing with Chicago.
The Cubs have a number of beginning pitchers getting into free company, together with Kevin Gausman, Matthew Boyd, Clay Holmes and David Peterson.
That leaves president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer with essential choices about which pitchers to retain and the place to search for replacements.
Chicago may discover costly free-agent additions, pursue trades, or try to re-sign a few of its acquainted faces.
Imanaga’s scenario presents an particularly fascinating dilemma.
His home-run struggles and declining effectiveness since 2024 are reliable considerations, however he has nonetheless produced a 3.45 ERA over 86 profession begins with the Cubs.
These are rock-solid numbers and won’t be simple for the Cubs to interchange, particularly due to what number of rotation spots would possibly should be addressed.
Different golf equipment are prone to be concerned about Imanaga given his confirmed observe document. Smaller market groups may be extra prepared to miss his home-run weak point, particularly a staff like Miami with LoanDepot Park.
A reunion stays potential, however Kelly’s Miami prediction highlights how simply Chicago may discover itself competing with different groups for Imanaga’s companies.
Whether or not Imanaga returns or strikes elsewhere, the Cubs have loads of work forward of them earlier than the 2027 season begins.
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