The Chicago Cubs have officially signed Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga to a 4-year, $53 million contract, with a club option that could extend the deal to $80 million over five years. Imanaga, known for his unicorn fastball, is expected to fortify the Cubs' rotation. The pitcher, who recited the Cubs' fight song at his introductory press conference, expressed excitement about transitioning to the major leagues and pitching at Wrigley Field. The move has generated significant interest and positive reactions from fans and analysts, with discussions on Imanaga's potential impact and fit with the Cubs.
The best thing we'll see today is Shōta Imanaga singing the #Cubs anthem. https://t.co/eRs6Jmxz9j
In his introductory news conference Friday, Chicago Cubs pitcher Shōta Imanaga said he wanted to join an organization where he, along with the team, can continue to get better and grow. He felt the Cubs fit the bill. https://t.co/K27py9jlQY
Coming out of the 2022 season, the Cubs felt like they had a good feel for the pitcher Shōta Imanaga would be if he posted to MLB the following year. “But then this year, it really all changed,” vice president of pro scouting Andrew Bassett said. https://t.co/QsdRfacMLj
Shōta Imanaga looking forward to transition to major leagues with the Chicago Cubs https://t.co/Kv71YbiBPQ
Shota Imanaga introduced himself to Chicago by reciting the Cubs’s fight song, and fans loved it https://t.co/ID4CN2xA9T
Shota Imanaga showed up in Chicago like a boss. https://t.co/hGHfSJ36oq
Known as the Pitching Philosopher in Japan, Shota Imanaga is hoping to improve his game as he moves to MLB and the Cubs. https://t.co/XbKy6kbW4B
Shōta Imanaga is going to fit right in at Wrigley Field. 😂 https://t.co/pVTjXQbXqW
Imanaga says his WBC experience and being the winning pitcher in the championship game over the USA made him think there’s more to baseball that he can improve on and facing hitters of unimaginable talent made him want to apply himself and face the challenge here. #Cubs @WGNNews
Shōta Imanaga with the best opening statement possible. Cubs fans are gonna love this guy @barstoolchicago https://t.co/ritOlj0uSn
Shōta Imanaga opened his Cubs introductory press conference in the best way possible https://t.co/pS6uNUg51u
I love Shota Imanaga. 😃 "Hey Chicago, what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today." https://t.co/JKbLIeN6ls
“Hey, Chicago. What do you say?” Shota Imanaga’s first public words as a Cub, quoting from “Go, Cubs, Go.” Enthusiastic, warm, charming. As first impressions go, this is a grand slam … or maybe a perfecto. #Cubs
Shōta Imanaga in his new @cubs threads… says he is “excited to pitch at Wrigley Field” @cbschicago https://t.co/b1Iavigldn
Shota just introduced himself by saying “Hey Chicago, what do you say, Cubs are gonna win today” and ya, he’s gonna be a fan favorite pretty quickly. #CubsCon @WGNNews https://t.co/hBFcqwJP6z
Newest Cub Shota Imanaga begins his presser in English: “Hey Chicago, what do you say? Cubs are going to win today.” https://t.co/ZejExTcn7E
“Where’s Shōta?” How Imanaga wound up all over the Chicago area – at a Blackhawks game, next to the Michael Jordan statue, at one of Bo Jackson’s indoor facilities – before the Cubs finally stepped forward to land their first free agent this winter. ⬇️ https://t.co/6WVrtsaSFJ
On the heels of Japanese right-hander Shōta Imagana’s four-year deal becoming official Thursday, the Cubs addressed two more holes on their roster. https://t.co/JAEFz9cAMr
Pitcher Shōta Imanaga probably won't be an MLB superstar, but he's a consistent, durable player with "intriguing upside." SI's @stephapstein and @emmabaccellieri weigh in on the move and discuss what else the Cubs should focus on this offseason https://t.co/89AxyRqxdL
We were live with Ian when the Cubs signed Shota Imanaga! https://t.co/j2zeabolYr
Shota Imanaga is all official now with the Cubs. https://t.co/QQZpviexGe
The Chicago Cubs needed to fortify their rotation and were able to do so by signing promising Japanese left-hander starter Shota Imanaga. Our @harrisonbruns discusses why this signing was so important for Chicago: https://t.co/LDdrReCJYa
Cubs, Shota Imanaga finalize 4-yr, $53M contract https://t.co/gUhznildpG
"I like his heater...A really nice fit...I'm super fired up about it" @JTaillon50 weighs in on Shota Imanaga joining the Chicago @Cubs ▶️ https://t.co/gSMO9JmM9O https://t.co/AITgK3UVym
Breaking down Shota Imanaga's contract with the @Cubs - did they get a steal? ▶️ https://t.co/gSMO9JmM9O https://t.co/gVBOTtOmYU
Shota Imanaga just signed a 4 year, $53 million contract. I spent *hours* binging Japanese video to study him. What I found? • How he Throws his Elite 4 seam FB • What his Mechanical Cues are • His Unique Change-up Grips Let’s Dive in ⬇️: Powered by @Flatgroundapp #Cubs https://t.co/oe766OGxLd
Japanese left-hander Shōta Imanaga and the Chicago Cubs finalized a $53 million, four-year contract on Thursday, a deal that includes a club option that could make the agreement worth $80 million over five seasons. https://t.co/yZbPVaDTEf
Japanese left-hander Shōta Imanaga and the Chicago Cubs finalized a $53 million, four-year contract on Thursday, a deal that includes a club option that could make the agreement worth $80 million over five seasons https://t.co/EtiEJTQU98
In today’s Windup: The Cubs are alive! They signed Shota Imanaga, finally making a move; Hall of Fame ballot reveals https://t.co/VyaMbSdD8y
The Cubs and Japanese lefty Shota Imanaga have agreed to a four-year contract. Sources said the deal is worth $53 million, with the option to extend it to $80 million over five years. https://t.co/yXl2ZtMr3e
Shōta Imanaga is officially a Chicago Cub! https://t.co/fFoc1r3DMa
#Cubs officially announce the Shota Imanaga signing https://t.co/UnaglM4Jgi https://t.co/31TMPppbGj
The Chicago Cubs officially announce Shota Imanaga's 4-year, $53 million contract.
Shōta Imanaga has signed a 4 year, $53 million contract with the Cubs. He has a unicorn 🦄 fastball. But it might not be as good as you think. Let me explain: @FlatgroundApp https://t.co/fRtt8dNRft