Chicago Cubs Make First Major Signing of Winter, Add Potential Ace

The Chicago Cubs have made their first major signing of the offseason after signing a star left-handed pitcher.

The Chicago Cubs have reached a tentative deal with Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Nightengale adds that Imanaga will undergo a physical in Chicago on Thursday before the deal becomes official. 

While the Cubs have been searching for a big free agent signing, they finally landed one in Imanaga. The left-hander has found plenty of success in Japan and the hope is he can find the same success in America.

Imanaga was arguably the best remaining free agent, perhaps better than Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. That remains to be seen given he's never pitched in the big leagues, but his numbers in Japan suggest he can be one of the better pitchers in Major League Baseball immediately.

The 30-year-old posted a 2.80 ERA in 148.0 innings pitched in 2023 for the Yokohama Bay Stars. He struck out 174 hitters in 22 starts, showing high-level swing-and-miss stuff. 

Concerns are warranted on the amount of home runs he allowed in the '23 season, giving up 24. If he comes to America and leaves hitters good pitches to hit, MLB hitters are going to rough him around.

Outside of the home run numbers, there isn't much to be worried about for the Cubs. 

Chicago will have other options to make the team better and after making Craig Counsell the highest-paid manager in baseball, pursuing those should be in their best interest. Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, and others should be at the top of their list as they look to compete in the National League Central.