Shota Imanaga accepted the Chicago Cubs‘ qualifying offer of $22 million for the 2026 season. The Japanese left-hander came to the majors through the posting system, and this one-year deal marks a pivotal moment in his MLB career — a reset after both sides moved on from his original multi-year contract.
The Contract at a Glance
- Team: Chicago Cubs
- Signed: November 2025
- Length: 1 year
- Season covered: 2026
- Total guaranteed value: $22 million
- Average annual value: $22 million
How the Deal Is Structured
It doesn’t get much simpler than this: $22 million, fully guaranteed, one season. No complex incentive ladders, no tiered bonuses. The total value and the average annual value are the same number — a clean qualifying offer, accepted as-is.
For Imanaga, this is a one-year audition. A strong 2026 puts him back at the negotiating table with real leverage. In MLB, a fully guaranteed contract means he collects every dollar regardless of injury, performance, or roster decisions.
How He Got Here
The path to this deal ran through a series of mutual opt-outs: the Cubs declined their option on his original multi-year contract, and Imanaga then declined his own player option — sending him to the qualifying offer market. By accepting, he gave up the chance to test free agency but locked in $22 million with no strings attached.
Where $22M Ranks in MLB
Imanaga’s salary is a solid big-league paycheck, but it doesn’t crack the top tier of MLB’s highest-paid players in 2026. His one-year structure keeps him outside the major rankings for now — though that could change in a hurry if he pitches his way into a long-term deal next offseason.
His Previous Contract
- Team: Chicago Cubs
- Seasons: 2024–2027
- Value: $53 million
- How: MLB posting system
Imanaga arrived in Chicago via posting in 2024, signing a four-year, $53 million deal after a successful career in Japan. That contract was his entry point into the majors. After his first year with the Cubs, both sides chose not to continue under the original terms — a common reset in baseball when an initial agreement stops working for everyone involved.
Career Earnings
Add it all up and Imanaga has earned $75 million in guaranteed MLB money across his contracts. That figure covers base salary, signing bonuses, and earned bonuses from his time in the big leagues — not endorsements or anything from his years in Japan.
