CUBS, IMANGA HAVE DEAL
The Chicago Cubs bolstered their rotation Tuesday, agreeing to a contract with Japanese lefthander Shota Imanaga in their first major offseason roster move.
A person familiar with the agreement confirmed it to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it was pending a physical. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.
The 30-year-old Imanaga, who got the win for Japan in last year’s World Baseball Classic final against the United States, has until 2 p.m. on Thursday to reach an agreement with a major league team.
Chicago had been quiet since it hired Craig Counsell as manager in November, replacing David Ross in a surprise move. The Cubs were in position for an NL wild card last year before stumbling in September, fading to an 83-79 record after finishing under .500 in the previous two seasons.
Imanaga gives Chicago a replacement for Marcus Stroman, who became a free agent after opting out of his contract. The Cubs also have lefty Justin Steele and right-handers Kyle Hendricks and Jameson Taillon penciled into their rotation.
Imanaga was 7-4 with a 2.80 ERA in 22 starts last year for the Yokohama BayStars of Japan’s Central League. He struck out 174 and walked 24 in 148 innings.
The Ohtani law?
Congress should narrow a loophole that could spare Shohei Ohtani from paying tens of millions in California taxes, the state controller said Monday.
The Dodgers last month signed Ohtani to a 10-year,$700 million contract, with Ohtani deferring $680 million until after the contract expires in 2033.
By that time, Ohtani could have returned to Japan or moved elsewhere outside California, where he might not be liable for state taxes on the deferrals. That could cost the state an estimated $98 million in tax revenue, according to the California Center for Jobs and the Economy.
“The current tax system allows for unlimited deferrals for those fortunate enough to be in the highest tax brackets, creating a significant imbalance in the tax structure,” Controller Malia Cohen said in a statement Monday. “The absence of reasonable caps on deferral for the wealthiest individuals exacerbates income inequality and hinders the fair distribution of taxes. I would urge Congress to take immediate and decisive action to rectify this imbalance.”
Lesser Franco charges
Wander Franco is facing a lesser charge after a judge in the Dominican Republic analyzed evidence that alleges the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and paid her mother thousands of dollars for her consent.
Originally accused of commercial and sexual exploitation and money laundering — charges that carry up to 30 years, 10 years and 20 years of prison, respectively — Franco now stands accused instead of sexual and psychological abuse, according to a judge’s resolution that The Associated Press obtained on Tuesday.
Franco has not been formally accused, but if found guilty on the new charge, he could face between two to five years in prison.
In his decision, Judge Romaldy Marcelino observed that prosecutors gave the case against Franco a different and more serious treatment because “the accused is a professional MLB player,” he said. He didn’t elaborate.
Notable
Former Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías will not be charged with a felony by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, according to a document filed Tuesday.
According to the office’s charge evaluation worksheet, Urías “pushed his wife against a fence and pulled her by the hair or shoulders” the night he was arrested last September on suspicion of domestic violence. The document, however, stated, “neither the Victim’s injuries nor the Defendant’s criminal history justify a felony filing.”
The District Attorney’s Office is now turning the case over to the city attorney for “misdemeanor filing considerations.”
Urías also still faces an investigation and possible punishment from MLB, which could suspend him — whether or not he is charged — if it finds he violated the domestic violence policy.
Urías, who became a free agent this offseason, was previously suspended 20 games by MLB in 2019 for violating the policy after being arrested, but not charged, on suspicion of domestic battery that year.
The Marlins are in agreement with Yankees minor league skipper Rachel Balkovec to become their director of player development. Balkovec finished her second season as manager at Class A Tampa in September. She debuted with the team in April 2022 with a win as the first woman to manage an MLB affiliate.