The Chicago Cubs could come to rue a cautious approach in the Tatsuya Imai sweepstakes. The highly regarded Japanese right hander stunned much of Major League Baseball by agreeing to a three year, 54 million dollar contract with the Houston Astros. With incentives included, the deal could rise to 63 million dollars, making it an even more appealing agreement for both sides.
Although Chicago ultimately failed to land Imai, MLB insider Mark Feinsand reports that the Cubs were very much in the mix. That interest made sense, given Imai’s status as one of the top ten free agents available after an outstanding run in Japan. Pitching for the Seibu Lions in 2025, he recorded a sparkling 1.92 ERA, struck out 178 batters, and logged 163.2 innings, numbers that convinced scouts he could transition successfully to MLB.
Despite being aggressive, the Cubs were unable to close the deal. Feinsand suggested that this does not mean Chicago will now pursue another elite arm at the top of the market. “A number of clubs were interested in Imai to varying degrees, but the Cubs seem to have been the most aggressive suitor after the Astros,” Feinsand explained.
He added that a pivot to other premier free agent starters is unlikely, largely because of cost. Ranger Suárez and Framber Valdez are both expected to command significantly higher annual salaries. Imai’s contract will pay between 18 and 21 million dollars per season over the next three years, depending on bonuses, and it includes opt out clauses after both 2026 and 2027. By comparison, Suárez and Valdez would represent a much larger long term financial commitment.
Chicago Cubs Miss Out on Team-Friendly Imai Deal
The Cubs entered the offseason with a clear emphasis on upgrading the starting rotation, and Imai’s agreement with Houston looks increasingly team friendly in hindsight. ESPN projects that Valdez could soon earn close to 28 million dollars per year, while Suárez is expected to land a deal averaging roughly 23 million annually. Given that all three pitchers were often grouped together by evaluators, Imai’s lower price tag stands out as a relative bargain.
This development is unlikely to sit well with Cubs fans or executives. In November, team officials openly acknowledged that improving the rotation was a central offseason objective. There was even internal belief that Chicago’s shortcomings in the 2025 postseason were directly tied to a lack of high end starting pitching. Missing out on Imai only adds to that concern.
Compounding matters, the Cubs are also preparing to lose Kyle Tucker. The star outfielder was arguably the team’s most impactful player in 2025 and is widely viewed as the top free agent on the market. His expected departure further raises questions about how competitive Chicago can be in the near future.
Cubs Likely to Target Former Diamondbacks Ace
While Chicago may steer clear of Valdez and Suárez, Feinsand still expects the front office to add a starter. He points to Zac Gallen as a more realistic target. Gallen struggled in 2025, finishing with a 4.83 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, and just 1.1 WAR, but his track record remains impressive.
From 2020 through 2023, Gallen was an All Star caliber pitcher and a three time Cy Young contender with the Arizona Diamondbacks. His 2022 campaign was particularly dominant, as he led MLB with a 0.91 WHIP and allowed just 5.9 hits per nine innings. Other possible options for the Cubs include Lucas Giolito, Chris Bassitt, and Zack Littell, suggesting Chicago still has several paths to address its most pressing need.