Who is Tatsuya Imai, the Japanese pitching gem pursued by the New York Yankees?
The Yankees are expected to make a big move and not fall behind the Blue Jays, who signed Dylan Cease.
The New York Yankees are looking to strengthen their roster during this Major League Baseball free agency period, and one of the players who could reinforce the Bronx Bombers may arrive from Japan. Right handed pitcher Tatsuya Imai is emerging as an intriguing option for the American League side.
A few days ago, the Japanese pitcher made headlines after stating that he would prefer to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers rather than join them. The Dodgers already feature his compatriots Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.
Imai is expected to travel to the United States in early December to begin formal negotiations with several teams that may be interested in his services.
Top Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai is in the process of deciding who he’ll sign with for his first MLB team and has doubled down on wanting to beat Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Dodgers.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) November 24, 2025
“Playing together sounds fun… I want to take them down.” pic.twitter.com/0iwH0EmRX4
The 27 year old has until 2 January to sign a contract. This will be his first experience in MLB after his spell with the Seibu Lions in Nippon Professional Baseball, where he posted a 1.92 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP and 178 strikeouts in 162 and two thirds innings this year.
Alongside their interest in the Japanese pitcher, the Yankees are also aiming to bring back outfielder Cody Bellinger for next season, following his impressive campaign with the club. Bellinger hit .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs and a 4.9 fWAR in 152 games during his lone season in New York.
Bellinger would be the Yankees’ main priority, though there has also been speculation linking the team with free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker.
Imai Tatsuya, a posted MLB-ready pitcher, would like to take down a team like the Dodgers rather than join them. 👀
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 24, 2025
(H/T TV Ashai, @jomboymedia) pic.twitter.com/I3mtzmnYxI
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The club is expected to make a major move to avoid falling behind their direct rivals in the American League East, such as the Toronto Blue Jays, who have already signed Dylan Cease to a seven year, 210 million dollar deal, and the Boston Red Sox, who have reached an agreement with Sonny Gray.
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