The World Series 2025 is officially done and dusted, and we are just about to get into the offseason vibes. So yes, the on-field actions will be off for the next few months. But off the field, a blockbuster time is ahead. And if the latest rumors are to be considered, the Phillies are at the front to make the most out of this offseason.

Remember when Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said at the trade deadline, “We’ll do what we can to try to make the team better?” Well, it looks like he meant it. The Phillies are once again at the forefront, seeking ways to strengthen their roster. And this offseason could bring a touch of Japanese talent to Philadelphia. And if the rumors are true, that Japanese flavor might just come at the expense of the Cubs!

“The Phillies have been looking for a reason to dive into the Japanese market, and Imanaga could be a great way to kick that off,” Thatballsouttahere’s Matt Davis predicted Shota Imanaga to the Phillies.

So here’s the latest twist… Shota Imanaga unexpectedly hit free agency on Tuesday after the Cubs decided not to pick up his option. The 32-year-old lefty put up a 3.73 ERA over 144 2/3 innings in 2025, which might not match his breakout rookie season. But he’s still the kind of arm a team like the Phillies should be taking a hard look at.

What’s interesting is that this isn’t the first time the Phillies had Imanaga on their radar. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Phillies showed interest when he was first posted from Japan’s NPB before the 2024 season! So, this time they have a good chance to get their hands on the pitcher.

And while the Dodgers have built a strong Japanese connection lately with Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Sasaki all in Los Angeles, the Phillies could shake things up by bringing Imanaga to Philadelphia. And yes, leaving Sasaki and Ohtani aside, Imanaga could be the perfect answer to Yamamoto. How?

Notably, Yamamoto has just one run and 5 SOs in six innings against the Phillies and reflects his dominance. To counter that, the Cubs might just hand over their prized possession to the Phillies. But Imanaga will surely come at a cost!

Reportedly, Spotrac projects Shota Imanaga to fetch above $30 million AAV this free agency. So, the Phillies need to set aside approx $90-$100 million even for a 3-year deal with the ace. Big amount, but considering names like Ranger Suarez leaving the team, the amount could just be available.

As for the cost? Spotrac values Imanaga at just over $30 million per year. That would definitely require some roster maneuvering, but with Ranger Suarez heading for free agency, it could make perfect sense for the Phillies to pull the trigger!

The Phillies might pull off a few more surprises

Well, get the facts right, apart from Imanaga, a few more surprises are getting worked on with the Phillies. “Dave Dombrowski is expected to have an active offseason after Philadelphia lost to the Dodgers in the NLDS,” wrote MassLive’s Christopher Smith.

So, after Imanga, the next big name could be Alex Bregman!

According to the latest reports, Bregman has decided to opt out of his contract. He recently turned down the final two years and $80 million left on his deal with Boston. The third baseman spent just one season with the Red Sox, appearing in 114 games while hitting .273 with 18 HRs and 62 RBIs. Hence, just like how the Phillies could have their hands on Imanaga out of nowhere, Bregman could come similarly.

And guess what, Bregman could just be that missing line for the Phillies. For reference, Bregman is already a 2x World Series champion and will come with tons of experience and leadership skills. Hence, Bregman could be of great help for a team that’s been suffering from a lack of exposure.

Yes, indeed, it’s not obvious to get all rumors come true. However, if the Phillies could pull up these moves, then with Imanaga leading the starting rotation and Bregman joining the likes of Schwarber, the team could be a World Series contender.