President of Baseball operations Jed Hoyer said that there is no disconnect between Shota Imanaga and Cubs……It appears a two year deal of some kind could be worked out either before or after he accepts or declines qualifying offer.

— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) November 12, 2025

.@MLBBruceLevine shares a few Cubs notes from the GM Meetings, including the chatter being that Shota Imanaga will likely decline the qualifying offer.

Listen to full interview: https://t.co/6HlLW8rBGG pic.twitter.com/IFJKWsJ9Cl

— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) November 13, 2025

An interesting nugget with this is that Imanaga opted out of 3 more years in Chicago for $52.75 million.

There is thought this was due to the looming lockout, which Imanaga would be a free agent and able to pitch back home in Japan.

— Travis Hudson (@TravisFHudson) November 17, 2025

Shota Imanaga Contract:

1.) Cubs can exercise 2028 option (3 year, $57M extension)
2026:  $20M
2027:  $20M
2028:  $17M

2.) If Cubs decline, Imanaga has a 2026 $15M player option.

3.) If Imanaga declines his $15M player option, Cubs can counter with a Qualifying Offer at $22M… pic.twitter.com/dbXKmSTyPy

— Chief Cub (@ChiefCub) October 27, 2025

The Cubs are reportedly showing interest in free agents Dylan Cease and Michael King.@jonmorosi weighs in on the Cubs' need for starting pitching this offseason and the impact of Shota Imanaga's qualifying offer decision, which will be made by Tuesday at 4pm ET. pic.twitter.com/2q2FJB5gGO

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 17, 2025