Pittsburgh Pirates Rumors: Team had Interest in Shota Imanaga

The Pittsburgh Pirates have emerged as one of the teams who were expressing interest in acquiring the talents of Japanese starter Shota Imanaga. The left-hander, who has spent the past eight seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, has reportedly caught the attention of several Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, including the Pirates.

However, it appears that the Chicago Cubs have secured a deal with Imanaga, inking a four-year, $53 million agreement with the potential for further escalation. Jesse Rogers, the Cubs' writer at ESPN.com suggested in his recent article that the Bucs had an interest in Imanaga

"The Pittsburgh Pirates also had some interest in Imanaga, according to sources, but ultimately the lefty chose Chicago, where he has been based since Christmas."

Jesse Rogers

The 24-year-old southpaw has been a stud in the NPB, showcasing his skills over eight seasons. His track record reflects a commendable performance, tallying 64 wins against 50 losses with a win-loss percentage of .561. Imanaga's earned run average (ERA) stands at 3.18, while his fielding independent pitching (FIP) is 3.43, attesting to his consistency on the mound.

Imanaga's Impressive NPB Career: Throughout his tenure in the NPB, the 24-year-old southpaw has proven himself as a consistent force on the mound. Accumulating 64 wins against 50 losses, Imanaga boasts a win-loss percentage of .561. His earned run average (ERA) of 3.18 and fielding independent pitching (FIP) of 3.43 reflect his reliability in various game situations. Over the span of 1002.2 innings pitched, Imanaga has recorded 1021 strikeouts with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.65.

The Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington made it apparent that the team would be seeking to add through the International Free Agent Market. The team is also said to have interest in signing Cuban right-handed pitcher Yariel Rodriguez. As a team looking to strengthen its pitching staff, the team clearly is looking for pitching through different avenues rather than overpaying for veteran Major League free agents.

Despite the Pirates' interest, it seems that the Chicago Cubs have successfully secured Shota Imanaga's services. The four-year, $53 million deal, which includes a fifth-year team option and the potential to reach $80 million, signals the Cubs' commitment to fortifying their pitching staff for the upcoming seasons.

While the Pittsburgh Pirates may not have landed Shota Imanaga, their active pursuit of the Japanese pitcher at least shows they are still in the market for a top end of the rotation type arm.

As the MLB offseason continues, it will be interesting to see how the Pirates address their pitching needs now that Imanaga is off the market.