The Chicago Cubs made one of the biggest moves of the MLB offseason on Tuesday after tentatively agreeing to a contract with Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga, according to multiple reports.
The southpaw still needs to undergo medical tests, which are scheduled for Thursday in Chicago.
Imanaga spent the past eight seasons in Japan's highest level of baseball, the Japan Baseball Organization, which is widely considered the second-best baseball league in the world after MLB.
During his time at NPB, he pitched 1,002 2/3 innings and posted a 3.18 ERA.
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On March 21, 2023, Team Japan's Shota Imanaga pitched in the first inning against the United States team at the World Baseball Classic held at Lorne Depot Park in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Imanaga isn't as highly regarded as his compatriot Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but he's still an interesting mid-rotation starter for the Cubs. Yamamoto signed a lucrative contract with the Dodgers earlier this offseason.
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The Dodgers also signed pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani to an unprecedented long-term contract. The two-time American League MVP spent the first six years of his professional baseball career in the United States with the Los Angeles Angels.
The 30-year-old Imanaga throws a variety of pitches effectively. His fastball reaches speeds in the mid-90s, and he can also throw an effective splitter, slider, and curveball.
On March 21, 2023, Shota Imanaga of Team Japan pitches in the second inning against Team USA at the World Baseball Classic Championship held at Lorne Depot Park in Miami, Florida. (Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Imanaga underwent surgery to repair shoulder damage in 2020 and missed the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were postponed due to the coronavirus.
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Imanaga participated in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and was a starter in the gold medal game against the United States.
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