The Chicago Cubs made a pretty shocking move, rejecting their option to extend Shota Imanaga's contract out to a fifth year, therefore allowing the southpaw to opt out of the deal altogether and enter free agency, per ESPN's Jesse Rogers. All of a sudden, the Cubs' rotation, which already had a glaring need at the top, is in even worse shape.

The Chicago Cubs have allowed the latest major offseason domino to fall with a decision that not many saw coming on Tuesday morning. As first reported by Jesse

Left-hander Shota Imanaga has become a free agent, according to a report from Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The Chicago Cubs declined their three-year, $57M club option on Imanaga’s services for 2026-28, and Imanaga subsequently declined his $15M player option for 2026.

Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong now has the hardware to back up his defensive ability. He won the first Gold Glove Award of his career Sunday, as Rawlings revealed the full slate of winners on ESPN’s selection show.