NEWSLETTER
If you’d told me in early November that Shota Imanaga would be the Cubs’ first 40-man free agent signing of the offseason, I would have had two reactions: (1) Sweet!, and (2) I can’t believe he signed so early in his posting period!
As it happened in reality, although the “sweet” part is still true, that second one not so much. Indeed, Imanaga, who wasn’t even posted right away when the offseason began, did not sign until the very end of his posting period. In fact, the Cubs just made the signing officially official today, which was the literal last day of his posting period.
It’s nice to know it’s officially official, by the way. Given the firm deadline and the need to do the physical and all that stuff, I would say I had like a 1% worry that something procedural would get in the way and screw this up. But it’s done. Shota Imanaga is a Cub.
Imanaga, 30, was one of the best starting pitchers in Japan the last few years, and even showcased his stuff in the WBC last year. We’ll talk more soon on how he’s expected to translate to the big leagues, but the general range is something like a solid 2 or 3 (which would be a bargain), or maybe a 4/5 (which would be disappointing, but still very useful).
If you missed the reported terms of the deal, they are complicated. According to reports, here’s how the contract works:
In other words, this deal could plausibly wind up being for two years and $30-ish million, three years and $41-ish million, four years and $53 million, or five years and $80 million. All four outcomes could happen! Complicated!
For now, though, all that stuff is pushed off for at least two years. Imanaga is here, with the Cubs, in the rotation, and if he stays healthy and translates reasonably well to MLB, the Cubs just landed a mid-rotation arm with front-half upside.
