The MLB offseason is really beginning to take shape.
Trades, signings and now qualifying offers are in full swing. That includes the Chicago Cubs, who sent qualifying offers to outfielder Kyle Tucker and Shota Imanaga. While Tucker is expected to decline his, Chicago got good news about the other.
According to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Imanaga has accepted the $22.05 million offer and will return to the Cubs for the 2026 season. The decision comes after both Chicago and Imanaga declined separate $15 million options in the earliest stages of the offseason.
Imanaga will enter his third season with the Cubs after making the transition from Japan. The first 1 1/2 years went exceptionally well for the left-hander, but it was the second half of last season as well as the postseason that has Imanaga's major league future looking a bit unclear.
Imanaga posted a 6.75 ERA in September, followed by an 8.10 ERA in the postseason. The lack of trust in Imanaga was evident from manager Craig Counsell when a fully rested Imanaga was not used in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.
With the accepted qualifying offer, the 32-year-old left-hander will have another season to prove he is worth at least one more contract in his MLB career.
More MLB: Cubs' Brad Keller has a giant question hanging over his free agency