I get that you’re trying to maximize your leverage against the state and all that, but was now really the best time to drop that steamer of a letter about moving the Chicago Bears to Indiana? I just want to enjoy the best Bears season in a very long time.
Shota Imanaga recently explained his decision to accept the one-year, $22 million Qualifying Offer from the Cubs, at least with respect to the part of the decision where he clearly loved being in Chicago and with the Cubs:Shōta said "I lived in Chicago for two years, so I feel close to the city. I like it, and it’s easy to live there. Chicago was my first city, my first fans, and my first field. That will never change. I’m really glad the Cubs were my first team." t.co/Ylc1QEY3o1
— CubbyMike?? (@CubbyMike76) December 15, 2025 In the Google-translated version of that article, Imanaga says that he likes the idea of betting on himself in 2026 and having no escape route. He has no choice but to put in the work and perform well this coming season, and he likes that pressure. He also compared coming to love Chicago to a duck who recognizes the first thing it sees as his parent. It’s what little Shota Duck saw first, and now we are collectively his mama. I love this guy. He also did a radio hit, and it’s worth seeing some of his random and delightful thoughts:I can’t include everything, but I put together a short summary of yesterday’s radio show. As expected of the “pitching philosopher,” Shōta is really smart. #今永昇太ANNP t.co/nEHmlQOmei pic.twitter.com/uLUhMX4eNl
— CubbyMike?? (@CubbyMike76) December 17, 2025 As far as Shota Imanaga getting back to where he was in 2024, the analysis is fascinating, but the conclusion is not overly complex. He needs his fastball back:5/ You see it in the swing data:• 56% swing rate vs his off-speed (highest among ALL MLB starters) • 40% chase rate (elite)Hitters expand against the splitter/sweeper because they don’t want to miss a hittable fastball.That’s why his off-speed ranks top 10 in run value… pic.twitter.com/Rid6e1jgV4
— Chris Langin (@LanginTots13) December 8, 2025 The difference between 92 mph and 91 mph is right at that border where slipping is even more impactful, especially when it comes with a loss of induced vertical break (i.e., less “rise”). Throw in some loss of command, especially after the hamstring injury, and it’s a recipe for the fastball to get hammered (which it did), and for the secondaries to play less effectively off of it (which they did). Can Imanaga, at 32, add a full mph back to his fastball, get some rise back, and command a little better at the top of the zone? It’s not typical to see that from a pitcher at this age, but if you think the hamstring injury altered his mechanics just enough to be the difference, then maybe. Otherwise, it’s some kind of training difference this offseason, which does happen (Colin Rea boosted his fastball about a MPH this year at age 35), but it’s rare. For what it’s worth, Imanaga’s four-seamer averaged 91.2 mph before the hamstring injury, and 90.7 mph after. The prior season, in the same two windows of time, with no injury, he was at 92.1 mph and 91.5 mph, respectively. So, candidly, it looks to me like he lost a mph this past season regardless of the hammy. Oh, random other thing on Imanaga I noted while perusing his Statcast page: his arm slot dropped quite a bit in 2025 (from 40 degrees to 36), and his fastball took on another couple inches of arm-side run. Probably not entirely unrelated, and I’m not sure if it was desirable or not. I keep seeing it everywhere and my peeve is being petted. Alex Bregman’s deal with the Red Sox was not 3/$120M. It was massively deferred, and the ACTUAL VALUE was 3/$95M. That’s a big difference! This is important context for all discussions about what kind of deal Bregman may or may not be able to get, relative to the one he got last year. For example, if he actually does get a 5/$150M-ish deal like Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso, with no deferral shenanigans, then he scored a MASSIVE win in free agency. The Washington Nationals have their new GM, poaching from the Phillies, and sticking with their youthful theme:The Washington Nationals are hiring Ani Kilambi as their new general manager, sources tell ESPN. Kilambi, 31, had been an assistant GM with Philadelphia overseeing its R&D department and will join new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni in rebuilding the Nationals.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 17, 2025 Throughout the Nationals’ entire revamp process, one thing has been consistent: go extremely young. Their new president, Paul Toboni, is 35. Their GM is 31. Their new manager, Blake Butera, is 33. Their new pitching coach, Simon Mathews, is 30 (and they’d tried to hire Tyler Zombro away from the Cubs, who is 31). Sounds like they should trade MacKenzie Gore to the Cubs for a group of DSL prospects, eh? By contrast, Fernando Rodney is nearly 50 years old and is still locking down professional baseball games:Fernando Rodney is about to be 50 and is still pitchingI respect unc ? t.co/Q2ZO8vLudq
— Kev (@klwoodjr) December 18, 2025 The White Sox are bringing in a well-regarded former Rays exec, whom I remember being mentioned as a possibility back when Jed Hoyer was hiring his first GM (ultimately going with Carter Hawkins from the Guardians):Former Rays vice president and assistant GM Carlos Rodriguez has been hired by the Chicago White Sox as assistant general manager, sources tell me and @JamesFox917. Rodriguez met with the White Sox during the Winter Meetings.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) December 18, 2025 This reminds me that we haven’t heard/seen much movement in the Cubs’ front office this offseason, outside of Tyler Zombro’s expanded role as VP of Pitching. MORE CUBS FROM BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad Free | Subscribe to the BN NewsletterJOIN US AT OUR BEARS-PACKERS WATCH PARTY!?⬇️ Lottie's: 1925 W. Cortland St. in Chicago!?⬇️ Saturday, Dec. 20th?⬇️ Party start time: 6 p.m.?⬇️ Game start time: 7:20 p.m.MORE INFO ?⬇️? t.co/WUUinzeyiP pic.twitter.com/PmBxS0TPWE
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 18, 2025Another Josh Giddey Triple-Double: Bulls 127 , Cavaliers 111 – December 17, 2025 t.co/pwGi8NyLCW
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) December 18, 2025Connor Bedard has re-established his cachet as an elite talent. But has the #Blackhawks superstar done enough to win a spot on Canada's Olympic roster? More: t.co/gzZtLCbfxW
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