The Chicago Cubs’ sudden Wild Card Series exit at the hands of the San Diego Padres exposed deep pitching vulnerabilities that management must urgently address this winter. While the regular season demonstrated the roster’s high ceiling, an avalanche of rotation injuries nearly derailed their year before October even arrived. To prevent a total breakdown in 2027, the front office faces a glaring priority in free agency: retaining Japanese starter Shota Imanaga.
While big-name free agents like Ian Happ or trade acquisition Kevin Gausman will dominate offseason headlines, Imanaga stands as the absolute backbone of Chicago’s rotation. Since making his MLB debut in 2024, the 33-year-old left-hander has quietly operated as one of baseball’s most reliable workhorses. He may not carry the flashy All-Star status he had in his rookie year, but his steady production remains irreplaceable.
In 2026, Imanaga served as the ultimate security blanket for a battered pitching staff, posting a solid 3.77 ERA across 32 starts. To put his durability into perspective, no other Cubs starter managed to make more than 22 appearances all season. Without Imanaga taking the rubber every fifth day, Chicago’s playoff push would have crumbled long before September.
Finding mid-rotation starters capable of delivering 30-plus quality outings with a sub-4.00 ERA is notoriously difficult in modern baseball. Letting Imanaga walk would inject massive volatility into a pitching core already riddled with health questions. Keeping him anchored in Chicago provides a proven, steady floor as the front office works to rebuild rotation depth.
With the offseason officially underway, the Cubs cannot afford to overthink this decision. If Chicago hopes to make a serious World Series run in 2027, locking up Shota Imanaga must be job number one for the front office.
