Los Angeles, January 2, 2025 – Japanese pitching star Tatsuya Imai is facing a rapidly approaching deadline with no Major League Baseball offers currently on the table, according to reports.
Uncertain Future for NPB ace
The 27-year-old right-handerS posting period expires in just days, leaving his MLB prospects hanging in the balance.
tatsuya Imai,a dominant force in Nippon Professional Baseball,is reportedly concerned about the lack of concrete offers from MLB teams as his January 2 deadline approaches. He’s currently in the United States meeting with teams, but expressed his worries on TV Asahi’s “Udo Times” program, stating, “Apparently, there actually aren’t many concrete options on the table yet,” and that interest doesn’t always translate to offers.
Imai pointed to the recent signings of fellow Japanese players Munetaka Murakami and Masataka Yoshida as examples of a potentially unpredictable market.Murakami signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the White Sox – a figure lower than many predicted – while Yoshida secured a deal with the Red Sox without extensive scouting from the team in Japan.
While the Yankees, Phillies, and Cubs have reportedly shown interest, a connection with the Yankees appears unlikely, according to YES Network’s Jack Curry. imai has also publicly stated his reluctance to sign with the Dodgers.
imai boasts a 3.15 ERA and three NPB All-Star selections across 159 career games with the Seibu Lions, including a stellar 1.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts over 163 innings in 2025.
During his TV appearance,Imai also noted the high cost of groceries in the United states and spoke positively about his first meeting with agent Scott Boras,who is working to find him a suitable MLB team. Imai is requesting his trainer and interpreter be included in any MLB contract and is prioritizing a decision that considers his family.
If Imai doesn’t reach an agreement, he will return to the Seibu Lions for the 2025 season, who recently acquired former Yankees pitcher Allan winans.
