MLB Rumors: Pitcher Pursued By Red Sox Shockingly Hits Free Agency

Shota Imanaga has become a free agent, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers on Tuesday.

The Chicago Cubs shockingly declined their three-year, $57 million club option for the left-hander’s services through 2028, which led to the veteran subsequently declining his own $15 million player option for 2026.

Imanaga’s decision brings a surprising end to what began as a stellar partnership between the two sides, as he finished with a 2.91 ERA and a 25.1% strikeout rate across 173 1/3 innings of work that earned him an All-Star nod and a fifth-place finish in National League Cy Young award voting in 2024.

The Cubs started to see the writing on the wall, however, as the 32-year-old was ultimately passed over for a do-or-die start against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 5 of the NLDS — having seen his FIP skyrocket to 4.86 and strikeout rate dip to 20.6% in 2025. Chicago lost each of his last four starts, which he pitched to a 8.07 ERA in 17 1/3 innings across the regular season and postseason.

Rogers reported that the club hadn’t decided on whether it would extend the qualifying offer, which would allow them to either obtain draft compensation or keep him in the rotation at a much lower annual salary.

The Boston Red Sox will surely be keeping an eye on that development…

Imanaga narrowed things down to four finalists back when he was posted by Nippon Professional Baseball’s Yokohama Baystars back in 2024 — Boston, Chicago, the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels.

Boston ultimately lost out after only offering him a two-year deal, citing medical concerns. Lucas Giolito, Patrick Sandoval, Liam Hendriks and Michael Fulmer all had medical concerns before signing with the franchise over the last couple of offseasons, though, so perhaps that isn’t the greatest excuse.

It’ll remain to be seen how the veteran’s market shakes out, but one would have to imagine there will be some level of interest at 4 Jersey Street.