THE POSTING SHOWDOWN: CUBS AND YANKEES NAMED FINALISTS
CHICAGO, IL—As the January 2, 2026 posting deadline looms, the sweepstakes for Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai has narrowed to a classic “City vs. Soul” battle. While the New York Yankees and Mets have the financial might to turn heads, MLB insider Francys Romero and multiple reports this week have confirmed that the Chicago Cubs are officially “finalists” for the 27-year-old flamethrower.
Imai, the crown jewel of the Saitama Seibu Lions, is coming off a legendary 2025 season in NPB where he posted a 1.92 ERA and struck out 178 batters in 163.2 innings. Now, he faces a choice that will define the next decade of his career.
THE “IMANAGA CONNECTION”: CHICAGO’S SECRET ADVANTAGE
While New York offers the bright lights, Chicago offers something Imai reportedly values more: infrastructure and community. * The Shota Factor: Shota Imanaga’s historic 2024 debut and his recent decision to accept the Cubs’ $22 million Qualifying Offer for 2026 have turned Wrigley Field into a “safe harbor” for Japanese talent.
- The “Take Down the Dodgers” Mentality: Imai made headlines last month by stating he doesn’t want to join the Dodgers; he wants to “take them down.” For a Cubs team that was eliminated by L.A. in the 2024 postseason, Imai’s firebrand personality is a perfect cultural fit.
- The “Lion” and the “Wind”: Unlike typical fly-ball pitchers, Imai’s high-velocity sinker and devastating “reverse” slider generate the kind of weak contact that thrives at Wrigley.
BY THE NUMBERS: THE 2025 DOMINANCE
| Metric | Tatsuya Imai (2025) | MLB Percentile (Projected) |
| ERA | 1.92 | Elite (Top-tier Starter) |
| WHIP | 0.89 | 98th Percentile |
| Strikeout Rate | 27.8% | Higher than Gallen / Valdez |
| Max Velocity | 99.2 MPH | “Electric” Power Profile |
THE CONTRADICTION: SURVIVAL VS. SAFETY
There is one “roadblock” in the Cubs’ pursuit. Imai has previously mentioned a desire to “experience a sense of survival” by being the only Japanese player on a roster to force himself out of his comfort zone.
“If there were another Japanese player, I could just ask them anything,” Imai told Japanese media. “But I want to see how I can overcome cultural differences on my own.”
If Imai sticks to this “lone wolf” philosophy, the Yankees—who currently have no Japanese players on their active 2026 roster—might actually have the edge. However, Jed Hoyer’s “mission” to grow the Cubs’ reputation in Japan may involve convincing Imai that he can be a “leader” alongside Imanaga rather than just a teammate.
THE PROJECTED DEAL
Industry sources expect Imai to command a deal in the $120M–$150M range over 6-8 years. For the Cubs, this would be the “splurge” that signals a full-throttle push for the NL Central crown.
