There was a team that offered twice as much money, but I chose the Chicago Cubs. Left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga (31)

called the ‘philosopher on the mound’ in Japan, pledged to succeed with the Cubs.

Imanaga held his induction ceremony at a hotel in Chicago, Illinois, USA on the 13th (Korean time).

Imanaga signed a four-year contract with the Cubs worth $53 million guaranteed.

After the 2025-2026 season, the Cubs have an option to extend the contract for a total of five years and $80 million until 2028. 카지노사이트

If the Cubs do not exercise their option, Imanaga could opt out and become a free agent.

According to local media such as MLB.com, Imanaga introduced himself in English at the induction ceremony.

Hey Chicago, what do you think? Imanaga, with a triumphant look on his face, energetically said

The Cubs will win today,” and cheered up the atmosphere by shouting the Cubs’ cheering song, “Go Cubs Go.

Fans who attended the induction ceremony, including Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer, who was sitting next to him, applauded.

Reporter John Heyman of the New York Post reported that Imanaga chose the Cubs over offers that were twice as good.

It was reported that the Boston Red Sox offered better terms, but Imanaga’s choice was the Cubs.

At the press conference that day, Imanaga said about the reason he came to the Cubs

I heard good things while talking with President Hoyer and General Manager Carter Hawkins.

I wanted a team that would expand my possibilities infinitely. “I decided to join the Cubs because I thought it would lead to my growth,” he said.

Imanaga, who said the words “Believe in your potential and throw boldly” resonated with him, said, “I’m not a finished product yet.

He said, “I want to grow with the Cubs and become a finished product by listening to the pitching coach at the Cubs and watching his teammates pitch.

There was also a question about the nickname ‘Philosopher of the Mound’ that was given to him during his time in Japan.

Imanaga, who left many famous sayings such as “If winning and losing are luck, there is no further growth” and “No scoring support is what a pitcher with an ERA in the 0-point range would say,” said

I study every day to raise myself to a higher place. He studies not only baseball but also the external aspects and life in the United States every day.

I think the fact that I always tried to improve myself led to that nickname,” he answered.

Jersey number 18 also attracted attention. In Japan, this number symbolizes an ace pitcher, but it had another meaning for Imanaga.

He said, “I looked into the history of the Cubs, and MVP Ben Zobrist was wearing this number when they won the World Series in 2016.

I chose number 18 because I wanted to perform similarly,” he explained.

The Cubs have a fellow Japanese player, outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who will likely be of help in adjusting.

Imanaga said, “I have had many interactions with Suzuki since high school, and we talked about many things.

After he decided to join the Cubs, I contacted him and he was happy and excited as if it was his own business.

It would be an honor to build the Cubs with him,” he said.

The Cubs expect Imanaga to be a key starter. “We scouted Imanaga extensively,” said Heuer. He is very curious and wants to get better.

He is a perfect fit for the Cubs team.” Imanaga also said, “I’m excited to pitch at Wrigley Field. He is looking forward to meeting his fans.

He pledged, “I will do my best to contribute to winning the World Series.”

Imanaga, a 178cm, 79kg left-handed pitcher, was selected by the Yokohama DeNA BayStars as the first pick in the 2015 draft and debuted in the first team in 2016.

Until last year, he played a total of 165 games (1,002⅔ innings) over 8 seasons

with 64 wins, 50 losses, an ERA of 3.18, and 1,021 strikeouts. Imanaga, who achieved double-digit wins three times in 2017 (11 wins), 2019 (13 wins), and 2022 (11 wins)

played a no-hitter against the Nippon Ham Fighters on June 7, 2022, and played 22 games last year. (148 innings) 7 wins, 4 losses, an ERA of 2.80, and 173 strikeouts, ranking first in the Pacific League in strikeouts.

He also frequently appeared on the international stage. He served on the Japan national team in the 2017 Asian Professional Baseball Championship (APBC)

the 2019 WBSC Premier 12, and the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC). In particular, his presence stood out at the WBC.

He pitched well in 3 games (1 start, 6 innings), 1 win, ERA 3.00, and 7 strikeouts, contributing to Japan’s 7-game winning streak.

He took the mound as the second pitcher in the 4th inning against Korea in the group stage, and hit a home run from Park Geon-woo (NC)

but his strong pitching in 3 innings, allowing 3 hits, no walks, 3 strikeouts, and 1 run allowed broke Korea’s will to pursue.

He then started in the final against the United States and laid the foundation for victory by allowing 4 hits (1 home run), no walks, 2 strikeouts, and 1 run in 2 innings.

He threw his four-seam fastball at a WBC top speed of 96.2 mph (154.8 km) and an average of 94.4 mph (151.9 km). Imanaga

who has been recognized for his ball tip and pitch position with a fastball rotation per minute (2,566) above the major league average

has a variety of breaking balls such as a splitter, slider, and curve, and has stable ball control with a total of 2.5 walks per 9 innings.

With more than 10 teams showing interest, the Cubs, Boston, San Francisco Giants, and LA Angels were finalists.

Imanaga’s choice was the Cubs.