Height
5'10"
Weight
175 lbs
Age
32
College
N/A
Experience
2 yrs
Bats/Throws
L/L
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsB-
| Year | Team | GP | ERA | W-L | K | WHIP | IP | SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 56 | 3.320122 | 24-12 | 302 | 1.0121951 | 0.0 | 0 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
Total Value
$22.0M
Guaranteed
$13.2M
AAV
$22.0M/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
The Cubs' decision to commit $22M to Shota Imanaga for another season represents a puzzling allocation of resources that earns a D- CVI grade. While Imanaga has proven to be a solid starter who can eat innings and provide league-average production, paying premium ace money ($22M AAV) for that level of performance creates significant roster construction challenges for a franchise still trying to find its competitive window. The left-hander's solid starter designation suggests he's more of a back-of-the-rotation piece or serviceable middle-rotation arm, yet his salary places him among the higher-paid pitchers in baseball — a mismatch that limits the Cubs' flexibility to address other roster needs. Given Chicago's recent emphasis on developing young pitching talent and their need to balance present competitiveness with future sustainability, overpaying for middling production handcuffs their ability to pursue impact players at premium positions. This contract essentially prices Imanaga as a franchise-caliber arm when his on-field contributions suggest he's better suited for a complementary role, making it one of the more questionable pitcher investments in recent memory.
Performance Analysis
Shota Imanaga grades as an elite performer among MLB starting pitchers, earning a A Performance grade. He carries a 3.28 ERA (below the league average of 4.20, a strong mark) and a 1.01 WHIP across 318.0 innings pitched with a 8.2 K/9 rate. His 24-11 record provides context on team support and run prevention. As a sophomore at 32, Shota is a key contributor for the Cubs.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 4/10 | vs PIT | L 0-2 | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - |
| Sun, 4/5 | @ CLE | L 5-6 | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - |
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