The Chicago Cubs have made one of the most significant moves of the offseason, securing a $157 million contract with Japanese pitching star Tatsuya Imai, signaling their intent to contend immediately and reshape the top of their rotation. The blockbuster deal pairs Imai with fellow countryman Shota Imanaga, giving Chicago one of the most formidable one-two pitching punches in the National League.
After a strong 2025 campaign in which the Cubs remained competitive deep into the season, the front office faced mounting pressure to take a decisive step forward. That moment arrived with the commitment to Imai, a proven ace from Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) whose arrival instantly elevates the ceiling of Chicago’s pitching staff.
Imai comes to Chicago with an impressive résumé built over eight seasons in Japan. During that span, he posted a 58–45 record with a 3.15 ERA, struck out more than 900 batters, and consistently ranked among the NPB’s most reliable frontline starters. Known for his electric fastball, sharp breaking pitches, and durability, Imai has long been viewed as one of the most MLB-ready arms to come out of Japan in recent years.
For the Cubs, this signing is about more than just numbers. It represents a philosophical shift toward aggressive roster building. Team president Jed Hoyer has often exercised caution with long-term pitching contracts, but the belief inside the organization is that Imai’s skill set, age, and track record make him a calculated risk worth taking.
The pairing with Shota Imanaga adds another layer of intrigue. Imanaga, who impressed in his debut MLB season, established himself as a dependable top-of-the-rotation arm with poise and command. Together, the duo brings a rare combination of international experience, high strikeout ability, and consistency — traits that could anchor the Cubs’ rotation for years to come.
Beyond performance, Imai’s signing also carries cultural and clubhouse significance. The Cubs have built a growing pipeline of Japanese talent, and the familiarity between Imai and Imanaga is expected to ease the transition to Major League Baseball. That comfort level could prove critical as Imai adjusts to a new league, schedule, and style of play.
Financially, the $157 million deal reflects the Cubs’ confidence that Imai can thrive against MLB competition. While the contract is substantial, it still compares favorably to the cost of retaining or acquiring elite MLB aces on the open market. In Chicago’s view, investing in a pitcher entering his prime offers both immediate impact and long-term value.
With this move, the Cubs send a clear message to the rest of the National League Central: they are no longer content with incremental progress. The rotation, once seen as a question mark, now stands as a potential strength — one capable of matching up with the league’s best in postseason play.
As spring training approaches, all eyes will be on how quickly Imai adapts and how dominant the Imai–Imanaga tandem can become. If both pitchers perform to expectations, Chicago may have just laid the foundation for a new era of pitching excellence — and a serious push toward October success.
