Interesting read on Shota's contract situation. I wasn't aware there was even a chance he could become a FA this offseason.

https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2025/10/13/shota-imanaga-options/

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If they want, the Cubs can exercise a $57M club option (2026, 2027, and 2028), keeping Imanaga locked in for three more years, with the following salaries each season (plus a no-trade clause).
2026: $20M
2027: $20M
2028: $17M

But if they don't want that particular deal, everything starts getting confusing.

For example, if the Cubs decline that $57M club option, Shota Imanaga can exercise a $15M player option for 2026. If he does, the next set of decisions doesn't happen until after the 2026 season.

But if he declines that $15M player option for 2026 this offseason, the Cubs can make him a Qualifying Offer.

If he accepts the Qualifying Offer, he'll be on the Cubs for one year at that TBD salary (~$22M). That might seem the obvious route for Imanaga rather than picking up the $15 million player option, but keep in mind, that one comes with an additional player option for 2027, and it's at least conceivable he might prefer a guaranteed 2/$30M (with the ability to leave in the middle) over 1/$22M.

If he declines the Qualifying Offer, he'll become a free agent right away, and the Cubs will recoup a draft pick if/when he signs elsewhere.

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...the Cubs did not start him in a do-or-die playoff game on regular rest. Think about that. It has to tell you something.

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Moreover, the Cubs have a lot of players coming off the books after the 2026 season, which I bring up as a reason to keep as much talent on next year's team as possible. You're not taking a step back next season, so is it really a good idea to lose a potential mid+ rotation starter? I wouldn't think so.

And yet, I just keep coming back to the potential financial savings and overall flexibility gained by declining that first option. It just screams Jed Hoyer. Go that route, and the worst case scenarios Imanaga accepts a Qualifying Offer or Imanaga becomes a free agent may not be considered all that unpalatable.

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Oh wow, I didn't realize that was a possibility either.

Shota is a Free Agent
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/shota-imanaga-becomes-free-agent.html

Reading it will be a close call for the Cubs to extend a Qualifying Offer (around 22m) and another close call if Shota would accept that.

Just saw that and was coming to say the same thing

Wow, will need to do some moving and shaking because our rotation outside our Horton is not young. Boyd and Rea were 34 last year and Taillon was 33

Kittredge traded back to the Orioles, a bit surprising. Thought he would have been back.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/orioles-acquire-andrew-kittredge-from-cubs.html

Im suprised by this as well.....he was the "go to" out of the pen in the playoffs.

I wonder how much cash the consideration was

both those guys were good. why not keep. I didn't think imanaga was too expensive, unless there is a huge FA they are going all in on.

How on earth did Tucker win a Silver Slugger?!?

Had the same thought. Guess it was a down year.

PCA is NOT the platinum glove winner.....Tatis won the popularity contest

Drake Baldwin wins the NL ROY over Horton.

Bummed about that, but can't be too upset a catcher takes it home as hard of a position as that is.

I think the edge Horton had was literally carrying the Cubs' rotation in the 2nd half of a playoff push.

That's good news

It'll cost them more in 2026 but protects them from a possible physical decline in Shota's mid-30s

Yeah I was good with it either way. Now Shota has a bit more incentive to perform well since it's going to dictate his market next offseason.

Now go get another good SP and a couple RP.

Bregman rumors still around as well; I am not as into that one as most others are.

I'm way more comfortable with Matt Shaw now than I was going into last season.

He, like many young players, just needs to find consistency at the plate. He has a big league glove - better than I expected

What a pitiful offseason thus far.

Cubs "in" on some many impact free agents and close the deal on none of them. I'd never want them to spend at Dodger/Mets/Blue Jays levels but at least be one of the bigger boys.

who is left?

Off the top of my head the bigger ones would be....
Bichette
Tucker
Framber
Ranger Suarez
Zac Gallen
Eugenio Suarez

I think all of the impact bullpen arms are gone, so they will be signing their guys to reclamation deals again to see if they find another Brad Keller form the island of misfit toys

thought gallen was trending cubs but been quiet

Cubs Close to Acquiring Edward Cabrera from Marlins

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The Chicago Cubs are close to acquiring right-handed starting pitcher Edward Cabrera in a trade with the Miami Marlins, reports The Athletic. There's no word yet on what the Marlins' return would be, but it's likely a package of prospects. Neither team has yet announced the deal.

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Saw this. I am in favor generally and reports indicate it will include Caissie. If they for some reason included Wiggins I would be pissed.

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3:28pm: The trade has been finalized, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. Caissie is indeed the headliner for Miami's return, he adds. MLB.com's Christina De Nicola reports that minor league infielder Cristian Hernandez is also going to the Marlins in the deal. SportsGrid's Craig Mish adds that young infielder Edgardo De Leon is the third and final prospect in the swap.

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https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/marlins-trade-edward-cabrera-cubs.html

The value of starting pitching is crazy to me. Cabrera is 27 years old....five years in the bigs.....only reached the 100 inning mark once.

AgRyan04 said:

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The value of starting pitching is crazy to me. Cabrera is 27 years old....five years in the bigs.....only reached the 100 inning mark once.

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It really is nuts. Can you imagine what someone like Bob Gibson would be making in this era? In addition to being one of the greatest pitchers of all time, he'd throw something like 25 complete games a year. He ate innings.

Jim Palmer, Tom Seaver, Steve Carlton, Fergie Jenkins. The list goes on from the '60's & '70's.

Wow

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/cubs-to-sign-alex-bregman.html

Wow....I'm surprised.

So instantly - what do they do with Shaw?

Does Breggy pack enough of a punch to be a DH, is he? And is he good enough to protect PCA like Tucker did in the 1st half last year?

Bregman will play 3b no doubt about it. Most liekly Shaw becomes a utility bench guy - maybe he gets reps in the OF during spring training also? That's a really great bench piece, don't get me wrong.

The likelihood of them trading Nico pre-season just went up (while still is unlikely). The likelihood of them resigning Nico after next season went down (makes me sad) since they could work that between Shaw and/or Bregman. The likelihood of them trading Shaw also went up perhaps as well.

Cubs have been a bit surprising and unpredictable lately!

10andBOUNCE said:

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Bregman will play 3b no doubt about it. Most liekly Shaw becomes a utility bench guy - maybe he gets reps in the OF during spring training also? That's a really great bench piece, don't get me wrong.

The likelihood of them trading Nico pre-season just went up (while still is unlikely). The likelihood of them resigning Nico after next season went down (makes me sad) since they could work that between Shaw and/or Bregman. The likelihood of them trading Shaw also went up perhaps as well.

Cubs have been a bit surprising and unpredictable lately!

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I rather have another big bat in the RF with Seiya at DH and backup OF.

I am not opposed to this either, since they will have two OF holes to fill come next offseason.

I do however really want to see what Ballasteros can do with a longer leash at DH.

Cubs are celebrating their 150th season....they're doing voting on an All-Time team....

https://chicagocubs.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_brMbZdQkIPtYhAa

My picks....
MGR - F.Chance, J.Maddon
C - G.Hartnett, R.Hundley
1B - P.Cavaretta, A.Rizzo
2B - G.Beckert, R.Sandberg
SS - E.Banks, S.Dunston
3B - R.Santo, A.Ramirez
OF - A.Dawson, K.Kelly, S.Sosa, R.Stephenson, B.Williams, H.Wilson
SP - M.Brown, K.Hendricks, F.Jenkins, G.Maddux, K.Wood, C.Zambrano
RP - R.Dempster, L.Smith, B.Sutter, K.Farnsworth

1B was easily the toughest for me....followed by SS and SP.

Waiting is over...first Cactus League game today.

GO CUBS GO!

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/chicago-cubs-reportedly-finalizing-extension-031628938.html


PCA long term extension happening