Imai and Murakami’s Short Deals, Will Okamoto Follow Suit? And Other Cubs Bullets ...Middle East

When the offseason began, both Munetaka Murakami and Tatsuya Imai were projected to command contracts in excess of $150 million. However, the former signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the White Sox in December, and the latter inked an opt-out-heavy three-year deal that maxes out at $63 million on Thursday.

So … what happened? And is Kazuma Okamoto going to follow suit?

Obviously, both contracts (Imai and Murakami) are set up in a way that will allow either player to score more in free agency if they answer some outstanding questions in 2026, but I’m modestly surprised it came to that … especially for Imai. Murakami had some pretty significant and glaring questions about his contact ability, as well as his inability to contribute defensively. So when he signed his short-term, low-dollar deal, I was surprised, but not shocked. But Imai seemed to have some serious believers across the industry. How was he unable to get what he wanted? Or are we thinking about it wrong? Both Imai (27) and Murakami (25) are young. And if either of them performs up to their potential in 2026/2027, they’ll be in line to score MASSIVE deals in the coming offseasons, perhaps even shattering their already beefy projections from this winter. They’ll also do so during what should be the beginning of a fresh five-year labor deal. So while we already and immediately knew the POINT of both short-term deals, I do wonder if they were just a bit more by design than by necessity, especially for Imai, who can go back out there next winter. But this does make me wonder about Kazuma Okamoto. The free agent third baseman – and theoretical Cubs target – has to sign by tomorrow at 4pm CT. Is Scott Boras going to encourage him to follow suit (i.e., prioritize a short-term deal to hit free agency next winter after demonstrating that he can play third base and/or hit big league pitching)? At 29.5 years old, the math is a little tougher for Okamoto than it was for Imai and Murakami. He’s also got a lower ceiling (and a higher floor), so my guess would be not. I have no inside info on this one, but I think that’s my best guess as his deadline approaches. For what it’s worth, MLB Trade Rumors and FanGraphs both projected a four-year, between $64M and $72M. That still feels about right to me, but I wonder if they’d revise those guesses after seeing what Imai and Murakami did. And, honestly, the same thing happened to Shota Imanaga, now that I think about it. He was initially projected to get more guaranteed and instead settled for an opt-out deal. That didn’t exactly work out for him yet, but imagine if he had an opt-out after year 1 (2024). He would have been PAID last offseason. We have to see what happens with Okamoto, but I’m almost wondering if we’re going to see more opt-out deals for Japanese free agents as time goes on, even the stars. ESPN did some bold predictions for 2026, and the only one that really caught my eye is the guess that Kyle Tucker will settle for a pillow contract. I still don’t think the Cubs are his likely landing spot, but you do have to wonder if they’d at least re-engage if that becomes his reality. For what it’s worth, Jon Heyman says while the $400 million mark may be out of reach, he still thinks Tucker can get $300M this winter, which you have to imagine he’d accept. If he does look to go short-term, Heyman says the Dodgers will be there waiting with open arms. The 2016 Cubs are going to be honored and remembered at the coming Cubs Convention, with a handful of former players scheduled to be in attendance for the 10-year anniversary of the World Series. But don’t expect any active players there, says Bruce Levine:

Cub Convention in two weeks.Although it’s a tribute to the 2016 Champions, don’t expect active players Javier Baez, Kyle Schwarber ,Wilson Contreras, Aroldis Chapman or Kris Bryant to attend the festivities.Would be disrespecting their present teams and current Cub players.

— Bruce Levine (@MLBBruceLevine) January 2, 2026 Kind of stinks with respect to Baez, Schwarber, and Bryant, who we’d all love to see. As for Willson Contreras … I genuinely don’t know what the reaction would be. He’s not on the Cardinals anymore, but he did pick St. Louis and said some (understandable) but annoying things about the Cubs after the switch. Would he be booed? Cheered? I think all will be forgiven after he retires, but it is funny to think about how he’d be received *right now*.

MORE CUBS FROM BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad Free | Subscribe to the BN Newsletter

All roads lead to …

Chicago Bears Injury Report: Rome Odunze Upgraded Before Week 18 Finale t.co/3mCJAJcY1Z

— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) January 2, 2026

Blackhawks Prospects Frondell, Nestrašil Advance to World Junior Championship Semifinals #blackhawks t.co/LHvcNxfNuP

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) January 3, 2026

Hence then, the article about imai and murakami s short deals will okamoto follow suit and other cubs bullets was published today ( Saturday 03/01/2026 - 06:57 PM ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.

Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Imai and Murakami’s Short Deals, Will Okamoto Follow Suit? And Other Cubs Bullets )

Last updated : 03 January 2026 clock 06:57 PM

Also on site :

Imai and Murakami’s Short Deals, Will Okamoto Follow Suit? And Other Cubs Bullets ...Middle East

2026 fantasy baseball: Avoid three potential busts at their ADPs

UFC London 2026 LIVE: Lerone Murphy misses out on title shot after controversial decision against Movsar Evloev

Claire Curzan Breaks Own NCAA Meet Record With 1:46.10 200 Backstroke

Michael Conforto Will Make the Cubs Opening Day Roster

Odell Beckham Jr. hopes Fanatics Flag Football Classic is ‘starting point’ for NFL return

LeBron James breaks Robert Parish’s all-time NBA games played record

Torri Huske Fires Off 45.17 100 Freestyle, 4 Performance All-Time

3 roster questions still facing Dodgers after ‘boring’ spring camp

Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea ace calls out popstar Chappell Roan over daughter 'in tears'

New York Giants star stuns after claiming that CTE and asthma are fake: ‘It’s an excuse’

Warriors’ Steph Curry will return to practice in ‘coming days’

Erin Gemmell Of Texas Wins Division I Women’s Elite 90 Award

2026 Women’s NCAA Division I Championship: Day 4 Finals Live Recap

Knicks’ wins against bottom-feeders shouldn’t mask growing concerns

2026 NCAA Division III Championships: Day 4 Ups/Downs, NYU and Denison Look to Lock Up Titles