Tigers Face Competition for Shota Imanaga

On November 13, 2026, the Tigers’ interest in Shota Imanaga emerged as they seek to strengthen their starting rotation. The San Diego Padres are also interested, while Imanaga’s agent, Yoshinobu Hasegawa, said he had spoken with at least 10 teams. Imanaga is looking for a multi-year contract and wants to pitch in the postseason.

The Padres have several rotation vacancies after Michael King, Nick Pivetta and Walker Buehler became free agents. San Diego finished the season with 91 victories and qualified for the postseason for a third straight year. Detroit, by contrast, finished 76-86, but could offer Imanaga a regular spot in its rotation.

Imanaga threw 174 1/3 innings for the Chicago Cubs in 2026 and posted a 3.77 ERA. He could slot behind Framber Valdez and help the Tigers manage Jackson Jobe’s workload as Reese Olson returns from shoulder surgery.

One projection values Imanaga’s contract at $34 million or $40 million across two years. He would not cost a signing team a qualifying-offer draft penalty: he accepted one from Chicago last winter and could not receive another. The terms Detroit or San Diego might offer have not been established.

A longer deal carries concerns. Imanaga gave up 35 home runs, tied for second-most in the majors, including 14 in 63 2/3 road innings. Detroit could consider a club option for a third season, but a guaranteed third year would increase the risk through his age-36 season. The Tigers also need to preserve room for late-inning relief help.