(670 The Score) Newly signed left-hander Shota Imanaga wasted no time endearing himself to Cubs fans.
At his introductory press conference Friday at Cubs Convention, Imanaga started with a "Go Cubs Go" reference.
"Hey Chicago, what do you say?" Imanaga said in his first public remarks with his new team. "Cubs are going to win today."
The 30-year-old Imanaga signed a four-year, $53-million deal with the Cubs earlier in the week, and he was thrilled to join the organization. He reached a deal with the Cubs earlier in the week after also receiving interest from the Giants, Red Sox and Angels, among others.
"I wanted to be on a team where I myself, along with the team, can continue to get better and grow," Imanaga said through a translator in more extended remarks. "While going through that process, the Cubs seemed like a really good match. The fact that this worked out, it's been great."
Prior to choosing Chicago, Imanaga talked with former Cubs ace and fellow Japanese native Yu Darvish as well as others who were familiar with the organization.
"They all said in unison that Chicago is a wonderful city," he said.
Imanaga chose to wear jersey No. 18 in a nod to former Cubs utilityman Ben Zobrist, whom he admired from afar as Zobrist helped the team win the 2016 World Series.
"Ben Zobrist is an excellent player, he played a lot of roles," Imanaga said. "He did whatever it takes to help the team win, and that's why it left an impression on me."
Imanaga was a standout pitcher in Japan, posting a 3.18 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in eight seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball league. He's coming off a strong 2023 season, when he had a 2.66 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 159 innings, over which he struck out 188 batters. Imanaga has struck out 9.2 batters per nine innings in his NPB career.
Imanaga projects to fit in toward the top or in the middle of the Cubs' rotation, which is led by ace Justin Steele.
"His skill level and just his mind for pitching is going to lead to a lot of success," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said of Imanaga on the Parkins & Spiegel Show.
Imanaga understands there will be learning curve for him coming over from Japan, but he's excited to get to work.
"There are adjustments whether it's in the pitch types or the pitch mix," he said. "I recognize I'm probably categorized as a fly-ball pitcher, but everything is an adjustment and this is going to be a learning experience. I look forward to it.
