Overview

• The Chicago Cubs are nearing a deal with Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga, with an average annual value of around $15 million.
• Imanaga, 30, dominated in Japan last year, striking out 29.5% of the batters he faced and walking just 3.7%.
• Imanaga's fastball led World Baseball Classic starters in Stuff+, and his slider was a top-10 Stuff+ slider among starters in the tournament.
• Imanaga's signing comes as the Cubs face questions about their lack of activity in the free agent market and the future of president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer.
• Despite concerns about Imanaga's fly-ball rates and home-run rates in Japan, his strikeout and walk results suggest he could be a valuable addition to the Cubs' roster.