Overview
- The left-hander accepted a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer, taking himself off the 2025–26 free-agent market.
- Chicago had declined a three-year, $57.75 million club option, after which Imanaga rejected a $15 million player option before receiving the QO.
- Accepting the qualifying offer remains uncommon, with Imanaga one of four of 13 eligible players to do so this year.
- Outfielder Kyle Tucker declined Chicago’s qualifying offer, positioning the Cubs for draft-pick compensation if he signs elsewhere.
- Late-2025 struggles, including a hamstring issue and 31 home runs allowed, shaped evaluations, while Forbes estimates the Cubs’ Opening Day payroll at about $168.5 million as they continue to seek rotation and bullpen upgrades.