SHOCKING MOVE: Cubs’ Shota Imanaga OPTS OUT of $54 Million, Declares FREE AGENCY!

"Shota Imanaga BREAKS SILENCE: ‘It’s Time for a New Chapter, I’m Ready for the Next Big Opportunity!’"

In an explosive move that no one saw coming, Shota Imanaga has officially entered free agency

, leaving the Chicago Cubs behind after an impressive four seasons. The Cubs declined his $54 million team option, and Imanaga himself opted out of a $15 million player option
for 2026, sending shockwaves through the baseball world.

But this decision isn’t just about the money—it’s about the next chapter in Imanaga’s career. After a stellar run in Chicago,

Imanaga is stepping away from the team that helped him make his mark in Major League Baseball, and he’s ready to test the market like never before.

In a candid statement

, Imanaga shared his mindset after the announcement: “After four great years with the Cubs, I felt it was time to explore new opportunities. I’ve had an incredible journey here, but as an athlete, you always have to look ahead. I’ve learned so much in Chicago, and I’m proud of what we accomplished. Now, it’s time to see what’s next for my career. Free agency is an exciting challenge, and I’m ready to take it on.”

With two dominant seasons under his belt, Imanaga has proven to be one of the league’s top pitchers. His 24-11 record, 291 strikeouts, and 3.28 ERA in

54 starts make him a prized asset as he heads into free agency. He was nearly untouchable in his rookie year, finishing with a 15-3 record and a 2.91 ERA
. Despite a slightly higher ERA of 3.73 in 2025, Imanaga continued to shine as a workhorse, starting 25 games and showing no signs of slowing down.

Before joining the Cubs,

Imanaga spent eight years in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league, where he posted a 3.18 ERA and averaged over one strikeout per inning—a track record that earned him recognition as one of the best pitchers to transition from Japan to the MLB.

Now, as Imanaga enters free agency, the questions swirl: Will the Cubs make a last-ditch effort to keep him? Or will a new team scoop up the Japanese ace?

With teams lining up for a shot at Imanaga, who’s already proven he can excel in the big leagues, this is one of the most anticipated free-agent sagas of the offseason. And for

Shota Imanaga, the future has never been brighter.

Stay tuned for what could be a game-changing move in free agency, as Imanaga prepares to write the next chapter of his illustrious career.

"Tage Thompson Calls Out Sabres' Offense: ‘We’re Going to Keep Falling Short Unless EVERYONE Steps Up!’"

"Buffalo Sabres’ Offensive Crisis: Are the Stars Failing to Deliver? Tage Thompson Sounds the Alarm!"

In a startling statement that’s sure to get Sabres fans buzzing, Tage Thompson has called out the team’s lackluster offense, saying, “The offense has to get back to where it was last season, but it’s not just about the stars. Everyone has to contribute, or we’re going to keep falling short.”

This bold remark comes after a disappointing drop in Buffalo’s offensive production, with their goals-per-game average falling to 19th in the league—a far cry from last season’s top-10 finish. And while the team has made strides on defense,

Thompson’s warning is clear: the Sabres won’t make it far if they can’t fix their offensive woes.

Despite Alex Tuch leading the team with 12 points in 12 games, Buffalo’s offensive struggles are

hard to ignore. Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson, and other key players have yet to find their consistent form, leaving the Sabres looking for answers. The pressure is mounting, and with

young guns like Zach Benson and Owen Power still finding their footing, Tage Thompson is putting the onus on everyone—not just the stars.

"It’s time for us to come together and fix this, as a team,"

Thompson continued. His clarion call for improvement has sparked a fire under the Sabres, who are now looking at serious questions surrounding their offensive depth. If the Sabres want to stay competitive, this isn't just about

individual brilliance—it’s about everyone from top to bottom contributing consistently.

Will the Sabres heed Thompson’s call? Or will this be the year their offense fails to live up to the hype

Stay tuned—because Buffalo's season could hang in the balance.

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