Yankees Will Reportedly Pursue Japanese Pitcher Making Headlines
new A new report from The Athletic‘s Brendan Kuty links the New York Yankees to one of the most intriguing names on the starting pitcher free agent market.
“The Yankees are expected to earnestly pursue (Tatsuya) Imai as they continue to survey the entire pitching market for an arm, according to a league source,” Kuty wrote.
“The 27-year-old would represent an upgrade to just about any rotation, but particularly to the Yankees’ group, which has so many questions heading into spring training. But don’t be surprised if they end up going cheaper if the price ratchets up for the right-hander.”
Imai recently made headlines by asserting that he’d rather take down the Los Angeles Dodgers than join them.
After a breakout campaign that saw him dominate for NPB’s Saitama Seibu Lions, Imai’s posting on November 18 opened a 45-day window for teams to pursue his services. With a repertoire blending pinpoint control and swing-and-miss breaking balls, he arrives poised to bolster a team’s rotation.
Imai’s professional journey began in 2018, when the then-20-year-old debuted with the Lions amid modest expectations. Early years brought inconsistency as he refined his mechanics and added velocity to his mid-90s fastball.
That patience paid off in 2025, his contract year, where he logged 24 starts, a 10-5 record, a stingy 1.92 ERA, and 178 strikeouts over 163 2/3 innings, including five complete games. His 0.89 WHIP and league-leading ground-ball rate showcased a pitcher who induces weak contact while missing bats.
What elevates Imai’s appeal is his untapped ceiling in a bigger league. Scouts project him as a No. 3 starter capable of mid-3.00s ERAs, drawing early buzz from clubs like the Toronto Blue Jays and Yankees.