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As soon as left-hander Shota Imanaga signed his four-year, $53 million contract with the Cubs before the 2024 season, it was clear his first two years in Major League Baseball were going to be pivotal.
The unique structure gave the Cubs the option after the second or third year to extend the pact to a total of five years and $80 million guaranteed. But if they didn’t, Imanaga could opt out either year and, unless he agreed to a one-year qualifying offer, test free agency.
This offseason, the Cubs are faced with that decision for the first time.