Cubs officially announce Shota Imanaga, Boston offered a two year deal
There’s been one common theme this offseason for the Red Sox. They’ve come up short on bids to land free agents they want and need for their 26-man roster.
The Cubs officially announced the signing of Japanese left-hander Shōta Imanaga to a four-year, $53 million pact that includes options and opt-outs for both the player and the team.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, “The deal contains a fifth-year team option and could reach $80MM. The Cubs will need to decide after the 2025 and potentially ‘26 seasons whether to exercise the option for 2028. If the club declines the option at either point, Imanaga would have the ability to opt out and become a free agent. He receives limited no-trade rights and would earn a full no-trade clause if the Cubs exercise either of their options.”
The Red Sox made an offer for Imanaga, according to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier. Boston offered “two guaranteed years with the potential for two additional vesting years.”
Craig Breslow offered more guaranteed money than what the Cubs will pay the southpaw over the first two seasons. Imanaga opted to go for the longer deal which also allows him to opt-out after the 2025 seasons if the Cubs don’t extend his deal to five years, according to Speier.
Boston had been considered a “long shot” to sign Imanaga, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.
Losing out on Imanaga due to being outbid continues to be the theme for Breslow and the Red Sox. Boston has lost out on starters Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Seth Lugo and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez.
The Red Sox still need starters, Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell are still available but the likelihood either pitcher signs with the club seems slim.
Free agent righty Mike Clevinger has shown interest in joining Boston, it’s unclear whether the interest is mutual.
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