Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai has officially posted himself for Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, making him the top free-agent pitcher available this offseason. The 27-year-old right-hander, currently ranked as the No. 10 free agent on The Athletic’s Big Board, will be eligible for negotiation starting Wednesday morning, with a deadline for offers set for January 2, 2024.
Imai concluded the previous season with an impressive 1.92 ERA over 24 starts for the Saitama Seibu Lions. While he may not possess the same level of prowess as fellow Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Imai is expected to attract significant interest from MLB teams, with projections suggesting he could secure a nine-figure contract.
According to Tim Britton of The Athletic, Imai is likely to receive an eight-year contract valued at $190 million. Britton points out that Imai’s statistics, including his ERA and strikeout rate, closely resemble those of other successful Japanese pitchers such as Senga, Yusei Kikuchi, and Hiroki Kuroda prior to their MLB debuts. Imai’s pitching repertoire includes a fastball that reaches the mid to upper 90s, complemented by a slider, splitter, and changeup.
Imai is represented by renowned sports agent Scott Boras, who has a history of negotiating high-value contracts for his clients. Teams view Imai as a potential mid-rotation starter, which could further enhance his marketability as free agency unfolds.
The posting of Imai follows that of Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, who began his negotiation window on November 8, 2023. As MLB teams prepare to make their moves, Imai’s entry into the market marks a significant moment for the upcoming offseason, with teams eager to bolster their rosters ahead of the 2024 season.
