MLB Insider Says Chicago Cubs Are Targeting This Starting Pitcher

The Chicago Cubs might be pivoting to this starting pitcher after whiffing on a couple of the major transactions that have occurred this offseason.
MLB Insider Says Chicago Cubs Are Targeting This Starting Pitcher
MLB Insider Says Chicago Cubs Are Targeting This Starting Pitcher /
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It's been a disappointing start to the offseason for the Chicago Cubs after they made one of the larger splashes early on by hiring Craig Counsell to be their manager.

They had been linked to most of the high-profile players like Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto, but missed out on both of those moves.

Now, the Cubs have to look elsewhere to bring in the requisite talent to turn themselves into contenders like they have proclaimed.

According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, they are interested in signing a Japanese starter.

"Shota Imanaga, winning pitcher in the WBC gold medal game, is drawing broad interest from @MLB clubs, including the Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox, and Cubs," he posted on his social media account.

It has been speculated that Chicago will not get into a bidding war for another Japanese starter, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is expected to bring in a megadeal of his own.

Shota Imanaga is projected to receive a contract that will have an annual value of around $20 million according to Morosi.

The 30-year-old is also expected to sign a shorter deal than Yamamoto due to both of their ages. Imanaga will have much less time in Major League baseball than Yamamoto and clubs might be hesitant to hand out a long-term commitment to the lefty before he's thrown a pitch in the MLB.

Despite not being as highly touted as others on the market, Imanaga is still a very good option to sign for the Cubs.

His career ERA of 3.18 in the NPB highlights consistency that he could bring to Chicago's rotation.


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Brad Wakai
BRAD WAKAI

Brad Wakai graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Journalism. While an undergrad, he did work at the student radio station covering different Penn State athletic programs like football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and other sports. Brad currently is the Lead Contributor for Nittany Lions Wire of Gannett Media where he continues to cover Penn State athletics. He is also a contributor at FanSided, writing about the Philadelphia 76ers for The Sixers Sense. Brad is the host of the sports podcast I Said What I Said, discussing topics across the NFL, College Football, the NBA and other sports. You can follow him on Twitter: @bwakai