The Chicago Cubs gained some clarity on Shota Imanaga's status, as the veteran starting pitcher accepted the team's qualifying offer on Tuesday. Considering the struggles Imanaga had to close out the regular season and becoming an afterthought on the team's pitching staff in the playoffs, there was some speculation that he would accept the qualifying offer as a way to return to a situation he's familiar with before trying to cash in on free agency next offseason.
Speaking at the GM Meetings last week, Jed Hoyer left the door open that Imanaga could return to the team this offseason.