Imanaga Accepts QO, Cubs 40-Man Decisions & Offseason Outlook | Bleacher Nation Cubs

Brett and Michael are back for the thirty-ninth episode of the Bleacher Nation Cubs Podcast (Presented by Ankin Law)! It’s a busy week for roster logistics, with the 40-man roster deadline and the Qualifying Offer acceptance deadline both hitting. The guys walk through how the Rule 5 Draft works and what those roster decisions mean for the Cubs heading into the winter. They also react to Shota Imanaga accepting the Cubs’ $22 million Qualifying Offer , keeping him in Chicago for 2026. It’s a strong short-term outcome for both sides and a reflection of how much the Cubs valued bringing him back on a one-year deal. Finally, Brett and Michael look ahead at potential offseason priorities—including whether the Cubs could make a move to solidify third base before spring training. A special thank you to Ankin Law for sponsoring this podcast! Visit Ankin Law's Website ➡️ ankinlaw.com Follow Michael on Twitter ➡️ @michael_cerami Follow Brett on Twitter ➡️ @brett_a_taylor Follow Bleacher Nation on Twitter ➡️ @bleachernation Follow Michael on Bluesky ➡️ @michael-cerami.bsky.social Follow Brett on Bluesky ➡️ @brett-taylor.bsky.social Follow Bleacher Nation on Bluesky ➡️ @bleachernation.bsky.social Visit our Website ➡️ bleachernation.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.