Report: Cubs agree to deal with rumored SF Giants target Shōta Imanaga
The SF Giants took a swing at signing three high-level Japanese free agents this winter. Posted Yokohama DeNa BayStars left-handed starting pitcher Shōta Imanaga (#12-ranked free agent) has agreed to a deal with the Chicago Cubs, according to a report by Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Sankei Sports' had reported that the Giants and Angels were the "final candidates" to sign Imanaga earlier this week. However, it seems like the Giants were once again simply rumored to be in the lead for a top free agent.
Team Japan SP Shota Imanaga pitches against Team USA at LoanDepot Park. (2023)
Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports
Part of the belief in the Giants' chances was that their failed pursuits of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, both of whom landed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, made them determined to land at least one of the prized Japanese free agents. With Imanaga's posting window set to expire Thursday, there was time pressure to get a signing done, one that hasn't existed thus far for the glacially-slow domestic free-agent market.
It may be that last week's trade for Robbie Ray made the Giants less willing to pony up for top free-agent pitchers, even if he likely won't return from Tommy John surgery until midseason. Heyman's report makes it sound like the Giants dropped out of the bidding at some point, rather than Imanaga balking at the summer weather or San Francisco crime rate.
"The Throwing Professor" will instead ply his trade at Wrigley Field next season. The 30-year-old made 22 starts atop the BayStars rotation this season. He recorded a 2.80 ERA with 174 strikeouts and just 24 walks in 148 innings pitched. This spring, before the season, he rounded out an incredible rotation with Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic that also featured Ohtani, Yamamoto, Yu Darvish, and Roki Sasaki. He allowed two runs on a pair of solo homers across six innings pitched (three appearances) with seven strikeouts and zero walks.
Imanaga was drafted by the BayStars with the first overall pick in the 2015 NPB Draft. He quickly reached the highest level of the NPB at 22. He debuted with the team in 2016 and immediately solidified himself as a key member of the starting rotation. Over his eight NPB seasons, Imanaga recorded a 3.18 ERA with 1021 strikeouts and 280 walks in 1002.2 innings pitched (165 games).
The Giants will thus turn their attention elsewhere in free agency, as the starting rotation remains unsettled early in the season. The club will get Ray and Alex Cobb back from injuries later in the year, but for now, there's a lot of pressure of Logan Webb and rookie Kyle Harrison. There are a number of free-agent starters still available, but the elite options are dwindling. It's worth noting that Imanaga likely slots into free agent Marcus Stroman's spot in Chicago's rotation, someone who the SF Giants are reportedly interested in.
