The Chicago Cubs said Thursday they have sealed a four-year contract with Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga, who was posted by the DeNA BayStars of the Central League.
The 30-year-old starting pitcher, who led the league with 174 strikeouts over 148 innings last year, will speak at a press conference in Chicago on Friday.
MLB.com, quoting a source, reported that the contract guarantees $53 million over four seasons, but after the 2025 and 2026 seasons the Cubs will have the option to extend the deal to five years and $80 million in total.
If the Cubs decline a 2028 option in either offseason, Imanaga will have the right to enter free agency, the official site said.
The Cubs are expected to pay a posting fee of $9,825,000 to the BayStars.
Imanaga chalked up a 7-4 record with a 2.80 ERA over 22 games last season. He was also the starter and winning pitcher for Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final against the United States.
In signing with the Cubs, Imanaga joins countryman Seiya Suzuki, who has played in the outfield with the team since 2022.
Selected by the BayStars in the first round of the 2015 Nippon Professional Baseball draft out of Komazawa University, Imanaga had a 64-50 career record in Japan with a 3.18 ERA in 165 games over eight seasons, all with the Yokohama-based club.
On June 7, 2022, Imanaga threw a no-hitter in an interleague game against the Nippon Ham Fighters at Sapporo Dome.
Also Thursday, the Tampa Bay Rays said they have signed Japanese pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training.
The announcement came on the last day of the 45-day negotiation period for the 29-year-old right-hander, who was posted by the Nippon Ham Fighters.
Uwasawa threw a Pacific League-leading 170 innings and had a 9-9 record with a 2.96 ERA in 24 games last year. Over nine seasons, all with the Fighters, he was 70-62 with a 3.19 ERA in 173 games.
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