Hailing from Kitakyushu, Japan, Shota Imanaga is one of the Japanese newcomers to Major League Baseball (MLB). A veteran baseball player of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan, he was drafted by the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in the first round of the 2014 NPB Draft, and he made his NPB team debut for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars on March 29, 2016. He had been with the team till 2023 before departing for the MLB in the 2024 season.
Shota Imanaga has gained several accolades during his NPB career in Japan. He has been a two-time NPB All-Star in 2019 and 2023. Moreover, he became a Central League strikeout champion in 2023. Shota Imanaga made his MLB debut for the Chicago Cubs on April 1, 2024. He made his MLB All-Star debut in 2024 as a member of the National League (NL) team and earned the NL All-Star award. He was also the NL Rookie of the Year in 2024.
Shota Imanaga Contract
| Year | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Cap Hit | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
| 2025 | $13,000,000 | - | $13,000,000 | - | $13,000,000 |
Shota Imanaga Contract Breakdown
Shota Imanaga signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Chicago Cubs on January 9, 2024. The following is his contract breakdown as per Spotrac -
| Year | Base Salary | Signing Bonus | Cap Hit | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
| 2024 | $9,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $10,000,000 | - | $10,000,000 |
| 2025 | $13,000,000 | - | $13,000,000 | - | $13,000,000 |
| 2026 | $15,000,000 | - | $15,000,000 | - | $15,000,000 |
| 2027 | $15,000,000 | - | $15,000,000 | - | $15,000,000 |
Shota Imanaga Salary: How much is Shota Imanaga getting paid?
Shota Imanaga is getting paid $13,000,000 from the 2025 MLB season. This includes a base salary of $13,000,000 and a signing bonus of $250,000, along with his total salary of $9,250,000. He signed a four-year contract worth $53,000,000 with the Chicago Cubs, along with a club option for 2028, on January 9, 2024. (via Spotrac)
He has been guaranteed the full amount, along with a signing bonus of $1,000,000 and his average annual salary of $13,250,000. He is to be an unrestricted free agent in 2029.
How much does Shota Imanaga make in a minute?
Shota Imanaga’s salary is $13,250,000 from the 2025 MLB season. If the total amount is divided by the total number of minutes in a year, i.e, 525,600 minutes, then he will make $25.20 per minute in 2025.
Shota Imanaga’s Career Earnings
Shota Imanaga made $23,000,000 in his MLB career as of May 2025, as per Spotrac.
What are the terms of Shota Imanaga’s Contract?
According to Spotrac, Shota Imanaga’s contract with the Chicago Cubs is worth $53 million for the span of four years, which he signed on January 9, 2024. The Chicago Cubs had to pay a fee of $9.825 million to the Yokohama DeNA BayStars for the trade. He has been given a $1 million signing bonus and will earn $9 million in 2024, $13 million in 2025, $15 million in 2026 and $15 million in 2027 as per Spotrac. His team can unlock a club option worth $57 million after 2025. It will become $20 million in 2026, $20 million in 2027, and $17 million in 2028. If Shota Imanaga declines it, then he can exercise a player option worth $15 million for 2026.
If Shota Imanaga declines the 2026 club option but exercises a player option, then the Chicago Cubs can unlock a club option of $42 million. It will become $24 million in 2027 and $18 million in 2028. However, if Shota Imanaga declines it, then he can exercise a player option worth $15 million for 2027. However, if the Chicago Cubs exercise any of these club options, then it will result in a full no-trade clause for Shota Imanaga. His contract also has a club option for 2028.
Shota Imanaga’s contract also has escalators for winning the CY Young Award. He will earn $1 million for being 1st, $500,000 for being 2nd/3rd, and $250,000 for being 4th to 10th. Additionally, he also has a Rookie of the Year Escalator for 2025. If he achieves it, then he will earn $25,000,000. He will become an unrestricted free agent in 2029 after the expiry of the contract, as per Spotrac.
How much of Shota Imanaga’s Contract is guaranteed?
Shota Imanaga signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Chicago Cubs and has been guaranteed the full amount as per Spotrac.
Shota Imanaga’s Contract History
Shota Imanaga’s contract with the Chicago Cubs is for four years and is worth $53 million, which he signed on January 9, 2024. His contract has a club option for 2028. He is a newcomer to the MLB, and this is his first contract as per Spotrac.
FAQs on Shota Imanaga
A. Shota Imanaga is wearing jersey #18 for the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball (MLB).
A. Shota Imanaga is earning $13.2 million from the 2025 MLB season.
A. Shota Imanaga has two nicknames. They are “The Throwing Philosopher” and “Mike Imanaga II”.
A. Shota Imanaga’s age is 31 years as of May 2025.
A. Shota Imanaga stands at 5’10” (178 cm) as of 2025.
