The Chicago Cubs made a splash in the offseason by acquiring Edward Cabrera to bolster their starting rotation. Yet, the spotlight remains on Shota Imanaga, whose return to the team is stirring up plenty of conversation.
After struggling in the latter part of the 2025 season and being sidelined during the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cubs extended a qualifying offer to Imanaga. He accepted the $22.025 million deal, despite a quiet free-agent market.
Imanaga's spring training debut on Tuesday was a promising sight for Cubs fans. He pitched two scoreless innings, and most notably, there was a significant increase in his velocity.
All of Imanaga's pitches showed higher average velocities compared to the end of last season, suggesting that his previous struggles might have been linked to mechanical issues stemming from a hamstring injury. Cubs manager Craig Counsell emphasized that the offseason focus was on refining Imanaga's delivery, aiming to resolve these issues.
Some fans have been quick to dismiss Imanaga, likely influenced by his rough end to the 2025 season. His performance in the playoffs, particularly against the Brewers, left a sour taste.
However, Tuesday's performance is a step toward changing that narrative. The acquisition of Cabrera also plays a crucial role in this, as it alleviates the pressure on Imanaga, who is now positioned lower in the rotation.
While Imanaga's contract might seem hefty, any contributions he makes in 2026 could be seen as a bonus. If his spring training outing is a sign of what's to come, it might be too early to count him out.