The Chicago Cubs made both a no-brainer and a questionable decision Thursday regarding their 2026 roster moves.
Chicago extended a qualifying offer (QO) to both starting pitcher Shota Imanaga and outfielder Kyle Tucker. This year’s qualifying offer is valued at $22.05 million. If both players decline the offer, the Cubs will receive compensatory draft picks in return.
Extending the qualifying offer to Kyle Tucker was an easy decision. It’s an almost guaranteed way for Chicago to secure an extra draft pick. Tucker is expected to command close to $400 million in free agency, making the chances of him accepting the Cubs’ $22.05 million offer roughly 0.0001%.
On the other hand, the qualifying offer to Shota Imanaga was more surprising given the current situation between him and the organization. Just a few days prior, the Cubs declined a $15 million option on Imanaga’s contract, which allowed the left-hander the opportunity to pick up a $15 million option of his own. Unexpectedly, Imanaga declined that option, choosing to become a free agent after only two seasons in Chicago.
It’s a bit shocking that the Cubs would essentially offer Imanaga a $7 million pay raise after his struggles in the second half of the season. Considering his performance, it’s unlikely Imanaga would command more than $22.05 million in free agency, which makes it plausible that he might accept the qualifying offer and spend at least one more season with Chicago.
Declining the option may place Imanaga in a challenging position this winter as he looks to sign his second Major League Baseball contract.
The most likely outcome appears to be Tucker declining his qualifying offer, while Imanaga accepts his, giving the Cubs one extra pick in next year’s MLB draft.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/mlb/cubs-extend-qualifying-offers-to-shota-imanaga-kyle-tucker-11007558
Be First to Comment