As the deadline approaches, Tatsuya Imai finds himself uncertain about his future in Major League Baseball.
In a recent interview while in the U.S. to connect with interested teams, Imai shared that he hadn’t received any offers ahead of the January 2 cut-off.
Speaking on TV Asahi’s “Udo Times,” he mentioned, “It appears there aren’t many concrete options at this point.” He added, “It’s one thing for teams to express interest, but quite another to receive a formal offer.”
At just 27 years old, Imai also expressed surprise at the high prices of groceries in America during his appearance, noting his experience shopping in Los Angeles.
The intriguing right-hander, who has taken a strong stance against signing with the Dodgers, is drawing interest from several teams, including the Yankees. However, recent comments from Jack Curry of the YES Network hinted that there may not be a connection between Imai and New York.
As for other teams, both the Phillies and Cubs have shown some level of interest, according to discussions in the Wall Street Journal.
Among Japan’s elite pitchers, a long-term deal once seemed like a given for Imai. He boasts an impressive record with a 3.15 ERA over 159 games with the Seibu Lions, and he’s been named an NPB All-Star three times, including a standout year in 2025 where he registered a 1.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts in over 163 innings.
However, past success in Japan doesn’t guarantee a lucrative contract this season. For instance, slugger Munetaka Murakami had been expected to secure a high salary but ended up signing a two-year deal worth $34 million with the White Sox just before the posting window closed.
Another notable Japanese player, infielder Kazuma Okamoto, is anticipated to join MLB this offseason, though he hasn’t signed with any team yet, as the posting window remains open until January 4.
Imai referred to Murakami’s situation and another player currently in the MLB to illustrate the uncertainty of the recruitment process. He remarked on how quickly contracts can come together, citing Masanao Yoshida’s case, where the Red Sox finalized a deal with him shortly after expressing interest without any in-person meetings.
If he doesn’t secure a contract with a Major League team, Imai plans to return to his previous team, the Lions, who have recently added former Yankees pitcher Alan Winans for the 2025 season.
During the show, he passionately shared his thoughts on meeting his agent, Scott Boras, who has been advocating for him as a potential standout. Imai expressed that Boras has helped refine his options and specifically requested the inclusion of a trainer and interpreter in his MLB contract.
“I want to make a thoughtful decision while considering my family,” Imai concluded.
