The Los Angeles Dodgers, who won the 2025 World Series, are reportedly eyeing a potential $57 million deal for left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga from the Chicago Cubs. The Dodgers are aiming to not only strengthen their roster but also win three straight championships – a historic “three-peat” after Clayton Kershaw’s retirement.
Imanaga, who signed a four-year deal with the Cubs before the 2024 season, became a free agent after an injury-plagued and underwhelming 2025 season. Last season, he went 9-8, had a 3.73 ERA, 117 strikeouts, and a 0.998 WHIP in 144 innings. Although his form has slipped slightly since his rookie season, his ball control and consistency make him a valuable asset to bolster the Dodgers’ pitching rotation.
If he joins Los Angeles, Imanaga would join Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow in one of the strongest rotations in MLB history, with his projected fifth starter position providing an unprecedented all-around strength.
FanSided journalist Chris Landers said the Dodgers could “disrupt baseball” by adding Imanaga to the lineup: “There is never too much pitching, and no one knows that better than the Dodgers after their injuries last season. Given their appeal to Japanese players, if Imanaga agrees to a short-term deal, don’t be surprised if the team gets richer and stronger.”
The presence of Ohtani and Yamamoto has made Los Angeles an attractive destination for Japanese players, and Imanaga could be the next to join the “Dodgers family”.
Contract length: Imanaga may want a longer-term deal, while the Dodgers prefer a short-term deal to give them flexibility for other plans.
Developing young talent: The Dodgers could choose to give young pitchers a chance instead of adding another veteran.
Bullpen strategy: They could also move some promising pitchers into the bullpen to gradually develop, especially with the secondary pitching group struggling recently.
With his ability and international appeal, Imanaga will certainly be sought after by many teams. The Dodgers have the finances and prestige to make an attractive offer, but time is of the essence. If they want to build a “super rotation” as predicted, the Dodgers will have to act quickly before their rivals gain the upper hand.
The acquisition of Shota Imanaga could be a turning point for Los Angeles not only to maintain their dominance in the National League, but also to move towards the dream of three consecutive championships – a historic milestone unprecedented in the modern MLB era. The Dodgers are on the verge of “breaking baseball” – and fans will witness a dramatic and exciting offseason.
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