Japanese Ace Tatsuya Imai a “Highly Intriguing” Yankees Rotation Option as Posting Nears.vc
The 27-year-old right-hander is “aggressively” linked to the Yankees, who are reportedly “highly motivated” to land a top-tier Japanese star. Imai is represented by Scott Boras and is projected to land a nine-figure contract.
The New York Yankees are “extremely motivated” to re-enter the Japanese market in a significant way, and they have reportedly identified their top target: right-handed ace Tatsuya Imai.
Imai, 27, is set to be officially posted by the Saitama Seibu Lions on November 19, according to his agent, Scott Boras. This will open a 45-day window for him to sign with any MLB team. According to multiple reports, the Yankees are “set to aggressively pursue” Imai and are considered “frontrunners” to land his services.
Here is why the three-time NPB All-Star has become one of the most “intriguing” and high-priority rotation options for New York this offseason.
1. The Scouting Report: Elite Stuff & “Cratering” Walk Rate
Imai is not a finesse pitcher. He is a 5-foot-11 right-hander with a powerful, high-octane arsenal.
- Fastball: Throws from a low three-quarters arm slot, sitting 93-97 mph and topping out at 99 mph.
- Secondary Pitches: His primary weapons are a devastating mid-80s slider and an above-average splitter. He also features a changeup, sometimes using a Vulcan grip.
- The “Leap”: What has MLB teams so interested is his dramatic improvement in command. His walk rate (BB/9) has “cratered” over the last four seasons, dropping from a high of 5.1 in 2022 to an elite 2.5 in 2025.
This newfound control, combined with his “swing-and-miss” stuff, led to a career-best season in 2025:
- 2025 Stats: 10-5, 1.92 ERA, 163.2 IP, 178 K, 45 BB
2. The Yankees’ “Aggressive” Interest
The Yankees have not successfully signed a premier NPB star since Masahiro Tanaka after the 2013 season. The front office is reportedly “highly motivated” to end that drought.
Imai, who will turn 28 next May, fits their needs perfectly. He is a durable, front-line starter just entering his prime. Furthermore, his agent, Scott Boras, fanned the flames at the GM meetings this week, stating that Imai “loves big markets” and “wants to be on a winning team,” two descriptions that define the Yankees.
The Yankees see Imai as a potential No. 2 or No. 3 starter who can slot in behind Gerrit Cole and make an immediate impact.
3. The Projected Cost: A Nine-Figure Deal
Imai’s combination of age, durability, and elite 2025 performance has him positioned as one of the top free-agent pitchers on the market. He is expected to command a massive, nine-figure contract, with projections varying:
- ESPN: 6 years, $135 million
- MLB Trade Rumors: 6 years, $150 million
- The Athletic: 8 years, $190 million
While the price will be steep—and will include a posting fee paid to the Seibu Lions—the Yankees are one of the few teams with the financial power and clear need to make such a deal happen. They will face heavy competition from other “big market” teams like the Dodgers, Mets, Cubs, and Red Sox, but all signs point to New York being a major player in this “intriguing” sweepstakes.
