Summary
Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai is expected to choose a Major League Baseball (MLB) team soon as he becomes a free agent. Known for his strong performance in Japan, Imai is attracting interest from multiple MLB teams. He could sign a six-year contract worth approximately $114 million.
Key Facts
- Tatsuya Imai is a 27-year-old pitcher from Japan.
- He is a three-time NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) All-Star.
- Imai had a 1.92 ERA (Earned Run Average) across 24 appearances in 2025 for the Saitama Seibu Lions.
- Imai is expected to decide on an MLB team shortly, with discussions predicted to conclude around the winter meetings.
- The San Francisco Giants are early contenders to sign Imai, among other interested teams.
- Imai's potential MLB contract could be worth about $114 million over six years.
- Other Japanese players like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Kodai Senga have successfully transitioned to MLB in recent years.
- Imai’s decision aligns with other Japanese players, such as Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto, who also face deadlines for MLB deals.
