The Chicago Cubs were defeated in the National League Wild Card Series by the San Diego Padres. Chicago's season was impressive considering all of the injuries they dealt with, but the early postseason exit was still a disappointment. Pitching depth will be of the utmost importance moving forward after their pitching injury-plagued campaign, which is why re-signing Shota Imanaga is crucial.
Bringing back long-time Cub Ian Happ wouldn't be a bad idea. Re-signing starter Kevin Gausman — who was acquired via trade during the season — also could be a good move. Imanaga, however, is the player they must re-sign in MLB free agency. He may not receive the most attention, but he is one of the team's most important players.
Why Cubs must re-sign Shota Imanaga
The 33-year-old has quietly been one of the best starters in the game since making his MLB debut in 2024. While he was an All-Star during the '24 campaign, Imanaga has become an underrated pitcher in recent seasons. He hasn't been an All-Star since that '24 season, but he's never recorded an ERA worse than 3.77 in the big leagues.
Article Continues BelowIn 2026, Imanaga was one of the Cubs best and most consistent starting pitchers. He recorded the aforementioned 3.77 ERA across 32 outings. No other starter made more than 22 appearances. Availability itself is of the utmost importance, and Chicago would have been in a disastrous position without Imanaga in 2026.
He endured some ups and downs on the mound, but the fact is that he was on the mound every fifth day.
Sure, he's not the best pitcher in baseball. Finding a pitcher who can consistently give you 25-32 starts while recording a quality ERA is challenging, though. Imanaga is a safe option in the rotation. Losing him would add even more uncertainty to a pitching staff that already has serious questions.
The Cubs must re-sign Shota Imanaga in MLB free agency this offseason.