CHICAGO — Amidst uncertainty surrounding his career and contract after Shōta Imanaga’s agreement with the Chicago Cubs was reviewed this winter, the Japanese pitcher has just caused a stir in both MLB and the media with a surprising and touching statement about marriage and his personal life, asserting that he will only do it “when the time is right and the person is right” — a statement that has sparked endless discussion among fans everywhere.

As one of the most talked-about pitchers since arriving in Chicago, Imanaga has had two emotional seasons with the Cubs, making a big impact with a 15–3 record and a 2.91 ERA in the 2024 season, making him a top contender for individual awards.

However, the 2025/26 offseason isn’t just about contracts and performance—it’s also pushing Imanaga into the center of questions about love, commitment, and life off the field.

In a recent interview, when asked about his future marriage plans, Shōta Imanaga gave a response that stunned many journalists, fans, and MLB followers. Instead of avoiding the question, he chose to be direct: “I don’t want to rush into marriage. I just want to do what’s right and meaningful with the person I love and my future family.”

This statement wasn’t simply a response to a personal matter—it was a declaration of his life philosophy and how he defines happiness, surprising many with its honesty and frankness that went beyond typical baseball commentary.

Imanaga then went on to share that he doesn’t view marriage as a “compulsory milestone,” but rather a profound decision and a conscious sense of responsibility, something he wants to carefully consider before… “saying his eternal vows.”

Those who watched the interview realized that Shōta wasn’t just giving a superficial answer; he used the opportunity to talk about family values, enduring love, and responsibility for his personal life, leading many sports commentators to remark that this was “a man’s thoughtful reflection on important life milestones.”

For many fans, this statement wasn’t just an answer to a question about marriage—it was Imanaga’s way of showing that he’s a thoughtful person with ideals, unafraid to share them publicly.

One fan commented on social media: “I appreciate that he didn’t shy away from the question. It shows Shōta is looking for something truly meaningful in life outside of basketball.”

In the world of sports, where many stars avoid “too personal” questions, Imanaga’s response is seen as a breath of fresh air. Instead of avoiding the question or giving a diplomatic answer, he chose to be straightforward, sincere, and insightful, leaving both fans and the media with not only thoughts about his future love life, but also a clearer picture of Imanaga, both on and off the court, with his emotions and opinions.

This has led many to question whether his life philosophy will influence his decision to accept or reject major contract offers in the future — because how a player views their personal life can reflect the attitude they will bring to the team and the locker room.

Currently, Imanaga — 32 years old and having had an extremely high-performing debut season, along with a prominent NPB career before moving to MLB — is still considering his future contract, after the Cubs and he himself decided to reject multi-year terms.

While the topic of marriage might sound like a “non-baseball” issue, for Imanaga, it’s part of a larger picture of who he is, making fans feel closer to a figure often known only for his powerful pitches and statistical achievements.

Now, as the 2026 season approaches and the free agency market heats up, many teams will likely be considering not only Imanaga’s playing skills, but also his personality and outlook on life — making him one of the most talked-about figures in this MLB offseason.

Shōta Imanaga is not only drawing attention to his future career, but his responses to questions about marriage, love, and personal commitment have led the public to reconsider a pitcher who is not only outstanding on the court, but also insightful and thoughtful about his personal life — making his story one of the hottest topics of early 2026.