CHICAGO -- Shota Imanaga was given the honor of being the Cubs’ Opening Day starter when the team began this past season with the Tokyo Series against the Dodgers in Japan. It was partially due to the significance of the event in his home country, but also a nod to the stellar showing Imanaga delivered in the year prior.

By the end of the season, Imanaga was sorting through issues with giving up a higher rate of home runs, and manager Craig Counsell was careful about when to hand the lefty the ball in the postseason. It was a tough finish, especially as the Cubs now must weigh a layered option decision within Imanaga’s contract.

“When we signed Shota,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said after the playoffs, “if you sort of had shown us his production the last two yea

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