The Chicago Cubs' willingness to let Shota Imanaga become a free agent hints that the front office is serious about upgrading their starting rotation, but the team lost one potential target ahead of free agency starting on Thursday. In a surprising move, veteran starting pitcher Shane Bieber exercised his $16MM player option for 2026 and will be returning to the Toronto Blue Jays.
In the days leading up to the MLB trade deadline last season, there seemed to be a growing impression that the Cubs were going to be the team that swiped Bieber away from the Cleveland Guardians.