Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai has officially posted to Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, making him the most sought-after free agent in this year’s class. At just 27 years old, Imai is currently ranked as the No. 10 free agent on The Athletic’s Big Board. MLB teams can begin negotiations to sign the right-handed starter starting Wednesday morning, with the negotiation window closing on January 2, 2024.
Standing at 5 feet 11 inches, Imai concluded last season with an impressive 1.92 ERA over 24 starts for the Saitama Seibu Lions. While he may not possess the same level of dominance as fellow Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Imai is still projected to secure a lucrative contract from an MLB team. According to Tim Britton of The Athletic, Imai is likely to receive an eight-year deal worth approximately $190 million. Britton notes that Imai’s ERA and strikeout rate are comparable to those of other successful pitchers like Senga, Yusei Kikuchi, and Hiroki Kuroda before their transitions to MLB.
Imai, represented by agent Scott Boras, is viewed by teams as a mid-rotation starter, a valuable asset to any pitching lineup. His arsenal includes a fastball that reaches the mid to upper 90s, complemented by a slider, splitter, and changeup, making him one of the hardest throwers to transition from Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) to MLB.
The opportunity to negotiate with Imai follows closely on the heels of another prominent Japanese player, slugger Munetaka Murakami, who is ranked No. 17 on The Athletic’s Big Board. Murakami’s negotiation window began on November 8, marking a significant period for MLB teams looking to enhance their rosters with international talent.
As teams prepare for the upcoming negotiations, Imai’s potential impact in MLB cannot be overstated. His strong performance in NPB positions him as a key player for franchises looking to bolster their pitching staff in the coming season.
