Tatsuya Imai Reveals His Market Isn’t as Strong as Many Perceived

Tatsuya Imai has until January 2 to sign with a Major League team or return to Japan. When he was posted in late November, he reportedly had a huge market with the New York Yankees being the frontrunners for his services. Fast forward a month, and the interested teams in Imai remain unknown, with his window to sign closing rapidly.

Imai Isn’t Getting The Offers He Wants

Every team is aware of its position with Imai and is unwilling to engage in a bidding war without competition. Scott Boras, renowned for his patience in securing top deals for his clients, finds himself unable to play his usual waiting game with Tatsuya Imai. In this case, Boras holds virtually no leverage in negotiations for the Japanese ace.

After meeting with his agent, he gave an honest answer about how negotiations are going thus far:

“It seems that there aren’t really many specific candidates coming up unexpectedly, and having interest from a team and a formal offer are apparently completely different things, so in that situation, I’m thinking of trying to make the best choice, with family to consider as well, and make a good decision.”

Much like Munetaka Murakami, Imai has not attracted any long-term, big-money offers. While he is a talented pitcher, he does not command the same interest as stars like Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Shohei Ohtani did when they entered Major League Baseball. A return to Japan appears highly unlikely for Imai, as doing so would likely diminish his value further compared to facing major league hitters.

The hesitancy to offer Imai a long-term contract is less about his ability and more about his age, now in his late 20s; a six-year or longer deal would carry significant risk. If he secures a contract, it will likely be for three to five years, with an annual value exceeding $20 million.

What Team Will Land Imai?

When considering the current landscape, the Chicago Cubs appear increasingly logical as a landing spot for Tatsuya Imai. The Cubs haven’t made a major investment in a high-profile free agent for years, and Imai could fit seamlessly into their plans on a short-term deal. Even if Chicago isn’t his preferred destination, with only a few days left before the signing deadline, they may end up as his most viable option.

The Yankees have sent mixed signals regarding their interest, leaving their true intentions uncertain. Along with New York and Chicago, the Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants are reportedly in the mix. While most prominent free agents enjoy a strong market and the luxury of time, he faces a more urgent deadline, and he has less than a week to decide his future, making his situation uniquely pressing.