The Cubs were the last big league team to add a player to their 40-man roster this offseason, when they claimed catcher Brian Serven from the Rockies on waivers.
Oh, you didn’t realize this article was about that, did you?
The Cubs have added one pitcher:
We are, of course, awaiting further confirmation that this deal has been made, along with the financials, and there has been no official announcement from the team.
The article “Cubs reportedly land Shota Imanaga in massive free agency splash” debuted on NBC Sports Chicago.
The Chicago Cubs have allegedly reached an agreement with Japanese pitching star Shota Imanaga on a free agent contract.
Imanaga, whose posting window was slated to close this week, is expected to have a physical in Chicago on Thursday to clinch the transaction, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
Imanaga was one of the most valuable free agents left on the market after Yoshinobu Yamamoto signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this summer.
Last season, Imanaga went 7-5 with a 2.66 ERA in 24 games in Japan, striking out 188 batters in 159 innings.
He will immediately improve a Cubs rotation that lost Marcus Stroman this offseason, forming a formidable 1-2 punch with Justin Steele.
The timing of Imanaga’s physical may also allow him to attend the team’s annual fan convention, which starts Friday.