4 finalists for Shota Imanaga revealed

Mar 21, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Japan starting pitcher Shota Imanaga (21) delivers a pitch during the first inning against USA at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Four teams reportedly are considered to be the finalists for Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga.

Jim Bowden, a former MLB GM and current reporter for CBS Sports, reported via X on Friday that the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants are finalists for Imanaga.

Shota Imanaga finalists are the #RedSox #Cubs #Angels #Giants according to sources.

— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) January 5, 2024

The list of finalists shared by Bowden reinforces what Jon Heyman previously said. Heyman had said he expected three of those four teams to be interested; Bowden added the Angels.

A recent report suggested Imanaga would likely sign for over $100 million.

The 30-year-old southpaw has gone 64-50 with a 3.18 ERA during his Nippon Professional Baseball career.

The Angels and Cubs have been quiet this offseason. But the Giants made a big trade on Friday for a former Cy Young Award winner. It’s unclear whether the recent pitching addition would affect San Francisco’s pursuit of Imanaga, who is not viewed as being on the same level as Yoshinobu Yamamoto.