In a significant move for Major League Baseball (MLB), Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai has been officially posted for teams to negotiate a contract. Starting from the morning of November 15, 2023, MLB franchises will have until January 2, 2024, to secure the services of the talented right-handed starter, ranked as the No. 10 free agent on The Athletic’s Big Board.
The 27-year-old Imai, who stands at 5 feet 11 inches, had an impressive season with the Saitama Seibu Lions, posting a remarkable 1.92 ERA across 24 starts. While he does not possess the same level of dominance as fellow Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Imai is projected to attract considerable interest and is expected to command a nine-figure contract.
High Expectations for Imai’s MLB Career
According to Tim Britton of The Athletic, Imai could secure an eight-year deal worth $190 million. Britton notes that Imai’s performance metrics, including his ERA and strikeout rate, align closely with those of other successful Japanese pitchers such as Senga, Yusei Kikuchi, and Hiroki Kuroda prior to their MLB debuts. Imai complements his fastball, which reaches the mid to upper 90s, with an array of effective pitches, including a slider, splitter, and changeup.
Represented by prominent agent Scott Boras, Imai is perceived as a valuable mid-rotation option for MLB teams. His posting comes shortly after the announcement regarding Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, who also aims to make the jump to MLB and whose negotiating window began on November 8, 2023.
As Imai enters the MLB free-agent market, his unique skill set and successful track record in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) position him as a compelling prospect. Teams are keenly watching how this new chapter in his career unfolds, eager to add his talent to their pitching rotations.
