As the January 2nd signing deadline approaches, Tatsuya Imai remains one of the more confusing names on the international market. This isn’t a case of a pitcher holding out for a massive deal or waiting on a preferred destination. There’s been very little public movement at all.
Some reports have loosely connected Imai to teams like the Phillies and Yankees, but there’s no indication that either club has even made a formal offer. With only 2 days left before his posting window closes, the lack of urgency stands out – especially considering the current state of pitching across the league.
A Pitcher Who Checks Practical Boxes
Imai isn’t built like a hype signing. He doesn’t rely on high velocity, and he doesn’t generate high whiff rates. Instead, his value comes from consistency and volume. He’s been one of the more reliable starters in NPB, regularly working deep into games and taking on heavy workloads, evidenced by the 330+ innings he has pitched in over the last two years.
His fastball sits in the mid-90s, but his slider is the pitch that drives his success, particularly against left-handed hitters. He uses it confidently in high-leverage counts and doesn’t need to overpower hitters to be effective, and the results back this up. Over the last three seasons, Imai’s WHIP has declined each year, pointing to improved command and efficiency. At the same time, he’s limited home runs at an elite level, posting HR/9 marks of 0.4 and 0.3 over the past two seasons. In a league where damage prevention is becoming increasingly valuable, that’s not a small detail.
He’s also not dependent on pure velocity to succeed. His approach is built around sequencing, command, and pitch shape, which makes age less of a concern than it would be for a power-first arm.
What’s the hesitancy?
If performance isn’t the issue, then the hesitation likely comes down to market dynamics.
Imai falls into an awkward category: good enough to demand a meaningful role and contract, but not flashy enough to drive aggressive bidding. Teams may view him as a solid mid-rotation option while still prioritizing higher-upside arms, internal development, or trade flexibility.
There’s also a broader trend at play. MLB front offices have become increasingly cautious with international starters who don’t project as immediate aces. Even with a strong track record of Japanese pitchers succeeding in MLB – Darvish, Tanaka, Yamamoto, Ohtani, Sasaki – teams still tend to overemphasize risk when the upside isn’t eye-catching.
As a result, pitchers like Imai can get stuck in limbo, waiting for teams to decide whether reliability alone is worth acting on.
A Missed Fit for Teams That Need Innings
What makes this situation odd is how many teams could realistically use what Imai offers. Across the league, rotations are filled with young pitchers on innings limits, injury-prone veterans, or unproven depth options. Imai provides something many clubs lack: stability.
He’s shown he can handle a starter’s workload, limit damage, and improve year over year. That profile doesn’t guarantee frontline results, but it does reduce volatility, and that has value, even if it doesn’t come with flashy headlines.
If Imai signs late or not at all, it won’t be because he lacks performance or a track record. It will be because teams prioritized upside over certainty. In a league constantly searching for dependable pitching, that may end up being a mistake.
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