Yankees among favorites to land 27-year-old Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai

3 weeks ago 13

The New York Yankees are 1 of the much progressive teams successful the offseason each year, and aft a lackluster 2025 finish, Brian Cashman is apt to research immoderate much large moves this winter.

One of those imaginable large moves comes successful the signifier of a escaped cause marketplace for Japanese ace pitcher Tatsuya Imai. The 27-year-old is being posted by the Seibu Lions and volition person plentifulness of teams vying for him this offseason.

According to Francys Romero of beisbolfr.com, the Yankees are among the favorites to onshore Imai successful what could beryllium a immense offseason determination for Cashman and the pitching staff.

Yankees among favorites to onshore Tatsuya Imai successful escaped agency

"The Seibu Lions person approved the posting of 27-year-old ace Tatsuya Imai," Romero reports. "If the petition is approved, helium volition person 45 days to negociate with each 30 MLB teams. The Yankees are expected to beryllium among the favorites to onshore Imai, according to sources."

The Seibu Lions person approved the posting of 27-year-old ace Tatsuya Imai. If the petition is approved, helium volition person 45 days to negociate with each 30 MLB teams.

The Yankees are expected to beryllium among the favorites to onshore Imai, according to sources.

— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) November 10, 2025

The right-handed pitcher would beryllium a immense boost to the Yankees' inconsistent starting rotation. Carlos Rodon, Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, and others contributed to a coagulated rotation, but the squad could usage different top-flight pitcher.

Imai is lone 27 years old, and he's coming disconnected an awesome 2025 play with the Lions. He had a 1.92 ERA successful 24 starts with 5 implicit games, 163.2 innings pitched, 178 strikeouts, and lone 45 walks.

More: Yankees' erstwhile location tally champion signs caller declaration successful Japan

In his NPB career, helium has a 3.15 ERA crossed 159 games pitched. Adding a pitcher with his acquisition and endowment would beryllium a immense summation to the Yankees' pitching staff.

And according to this study from Romero, the Yankees are viewed arsenic 1 of the favorites to onshore the 27-year-old ace retired of Japan.

Imai would assistance circular retired a beardown starting rotation successful New York. With Garrit Cole, Fried, Rodon, and Schlittler, the Yankees would beryllium successful contention for having helium champion rotation successful the Major Leagues if they tin onshore Imai.