Shota Imanaga has reached free agency after two seasons with the team. Although the news may sting a bit, it's not all bad from either party's perspective. While both the Cubs and Imanaga have declined their respective options, that doesn't mean that the two sides won't come to terms on a new deal. At the very least, the Cubs could extend a qualifying offer to Imanaga of $22.025MM. Qualifying offer decisions are due by Thursday.
Making this move would also tie Imanaga to draft pick compensation. Meaning, if he rejects the Cubs' qualifying offer, the Cubs will receive draft picks from the team that ends up signing him, which will be calculated depending on the payroll of the team that inks him.