Yankees Should Target Shota Imanaga After Surprising Contract Decision
The New York Yankees and the rest of the baseball world were hit with some unexpected news at the onset of the offseason.
Chicago Cubs left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga is set to reach free agency after the club declined to pick up a three-year option for $57 million in his contract, while the 32-year-old subsequently turned down a $15 million player option for the 2026 campaign, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers.
Breaking Cubs news: Lefty starter Shota Imanaga is a free agent, sources tell ESPN. The team rejected their option to extend his contract out to a fifth year. That triggered his ability to exercise a $15 million player option for 2026. He declined that as well.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) November 4, 2025
Imanaga now becomes one of the more intriguing starters on the open market this winter, and the Yankees should look into signing the former All-Star.
Imanaga's Career
Before joining the Cubs ahead of the 2024 campaign on a four-year, $53 million deal that included those aforementioned options, Imanaga was a star for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. He was an All-Star on two occasions with the club (2019, 2023) and pitched to a 3.18 ERA over 165 games and eight seasons.
As a rookie in MLB with the Cubs last year, Imanaga recorded a 2.91 ERA in 173 1/3 innings and 29 outings. He earned an All-Star nod as a result while also finishing fourth and fifth in NL Rookie of the Year and NL Cy Young Award voting, respectively.
In 2025, Imanaga posted a 3.73 ERA across 25 starts and 144 2/3 frames during the regular season for Chicago. In the playoffs, he put up an 8.10 ERA over two appearances (one start).
Why Yankees Should Pursue Imanaga
It's no secret that the Yankees could use some help in their rotation heading into the 2026 campaign, as both Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole are set to miss the start of the year while recovering from their respective injuries.
Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil and Will Warren are all pretty safe bets to secure rotation spots at the beginning of the campaign barring any offseason trades, but there's room for a significant addition to that group even after Rodón and Cole return.
While Imanaga regressed from 2024 to 2025, he'd still make for a solid mid-rotation arm who has proven he can perform at a high level in the league.
There would be little pressure for him to step up as an ace on the Yankees, unlike his situation in Chicago, which perhaps could lead to a boost in his numbers as well.
It remains to be seen if the Cubs issue Imanaga a qualifying offer, which could impact New York's decision on whether or not to pursue him given that they'd have to part ways with a draft pick in order to sign him should Chicago do so, but he's otherwise a good fit in The Bronx.
Shocking Turn of Events: Lions Cut Two Highly-Talented Rookies After Wild Night Out — Head Coach Drops Bombshell Message!
In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, two highly-touted rookies from the Detroit Lions were cut from the team just hours after being caught in a wild late-night party. The incident, which involved the players partying into the early morning hours, led to their shocking release by head coach Dan Campbell.
Sources close to the team revealed that the players showed up late and visibly hungover to practice the next day, sparking outrage among teammates and coaching staff. Campbell, known for his fiery leadership and no-excuses mentality, wasted no time taking swift action — leaving everyone questioning: What kind of behavior can we expect from the Lions now?
Coach Campbell's Blunt Reaction:
“It’s not just about talent. This is about doing things the right way, and that means respecting the game, your teammates, and your commitment to being a pro.”
“What happened last night is unacceptable. We’re here to build a championship culture, not to be out partying like it’s spring break!”
The head coach’s blistering comments have sparked a firestorm of debate, with fans and analysts divided on whether Campbell went too far. Some argue that cutting young, promising players over a single lapse in judgment could be a drastic overreaction. Others claim that Campbell's move was absolutely necessary to maintain the “winning culture” the Lions have worked so hard to build.
But it’s not just Campbell’s comments that have made headlines — it’s the players themselves, whose sudden release has fans buzzing. The rookies, who were expected to play pivotal roles in the Lions' season, are now left without a team, with rumors swirling that they could be picked up by rival teams desperate for talent.
Lions' Team Leaders React
One veteran player, Jared Goff, spoke up on the matter:
“No one is above the team. We’ve worked too hard for this moment, and if you can’t stay focused, you’re out. Simple as that.”
Fans on social media are split, with some praising Campbell’s leadership, while others slam him for exaggerating the consequences of the party. It’s a conversation that’s only just begun, and the fallout could shake up the entire NFL landscape.
Could this bold move be the beginning of a dynasty for the Lions? Or did Campbell just alienate future stars for the sake of discipline?
Stay tuned for more details — and buckle up, because the Lions drama is just getting started!
