The New York Mets are continuing to see the market fill up with options to bolster their starting rotation this winter.
As pitchers continue to opt out of their contracts and become free agents, the Mets know their options become more plentiful. That trend continued on Tuesday as more players hit the market.
Chicago Cubs left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga is the latest name to be searching for a new team. However, the process to get there was very complex.
“First, the Cubs declined their three-year option to lock in Imanaga for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons at a total cost of $57.75 million,” Patrick Mooney wrote for The Athletic. “With that move, Imanaga, 32, gained a $15.25 million player option for next season, which he promptly declined. In doing so, he also voided his player option for 2027, meaning he could have guaranteed himself at least $30.5 million over the next two seasons.”
Shortly after the moves were made and Imanaga became a free agent, Jim Bowden promptly listed the Mets as one of the best fits for the veteran lefty.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 06: Shota Imanaga #18 of the Chicago Cubs pitches during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game two of …
“Imanaga had a solid year for the Cubs going 9-8 with a 3.79 ERA over 25 starts, working 144 2/3 innings with a WHIP of 0.988,” Bowden wrote for The Athletic. “Both he and the Cubs held options at the end of the season that both sides declined on Nov. 4, sending him to free agency. Although he doesn’t throw especially hard, his four-seam fastball was effective this season and is off-speed and breaking balls were among the best in the league in terms of effectiveness. The Cubs are expected to extend the qualifying offer to Imanaga, which will make the Cubs eligible for draft pick compensation. He’s not expected to accept the QO and will be seeking a multi-year contract. Contract prediction: 3-years, $72.5 million.”
Paying over $24 million per year may seem like a steep price, but Imanaga’s stats are right up there with some of the best pitchers on the market. Holding a WHIP of less than 1.000 over the course of 25 starts speaks significantly to his ability to deceive hitters. The market is limited in terms of the number of left-handed pitchers, which makes his value rise even more.
Among the other teams listed as a best fit are the Cubs, Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox. The Mets will have competition if they choose to pursue him as a front-end starter.
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