Dodgers Continuing to Excel While Tatsuya Imai Holds His Ground
The Dodgers are on an upswing lately, but pitcher Tatsuya Imai seems to be taking a different approach.
Just a few weeks after expressing his desire to “beat” the Dodgers, Imai reaffirmed his stance following the Los Angeles team’s acquisition of Edwin Diaz, a former standout closer for the Mets.
“They don’t really need me because they already have plenty of pitchers,” Imai remarked during a training session at Belluna Dome, home of the Seibu Lions, according to a Japanese news source.
Imai recently had a conversation with baseball legend Daisuke Matsuzaka, where he stated that triumphing over the Dodgers and claiming a championship would be “the most rewarding thing in my life.”
Now at 27, he’s weighing his options but appears resolute in his feelings.
“Isn’t that what all the Dodgers players think?” Imai questioned, making it clear he wants to outplay the reigning champions. “It makes perfect sense. I’m voicing what many players probably feel.”
His comments have circulated through the Dodgers’ clubhouse, prompting All-Star infielder Max Muncy to respond. While he acknowledged not being familiar with Imai, he understood the competitive instinct to beat rather than join such a strong team.
Muncy commented on a recent podcast that wanting to defeat the Dodgers is a common motivation among pitchers. “Honestly, it’s really no different for them. They want to take us down,” he said, acknowledging the caliber of talent that often comes from Japan.
Imai also mentioned that his agent, Scott Boras, disclosed plans for him to meet with interested teams in the United States following the winter meetings in Orlando.
Boras noted that they will need to focus their efforts more narrowly moving forward.
The 5-foot-11, 154-pound pitcher has caught the attention of numerous teams, including the Yankees and the Mets.
Throughout his career with the Lions, Imai appeared in 159 games, with a respectable 3.15 ERA. Last season, he maintained a 1.92 ERA and racked up 178 strikeouts in just over 163 innings, earning him three NPB All-Star selections.
Boras pointed out that Imai’s remarkable velocity at 98-99 mph is something teams are eager to get behind. “They’re amazed that a player with his caliber is available,” he noted.
He also confirmed ongoing discussions with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman about various players, including Imai, as the Yankees look for starting depth with their top pitchers set to enter 2026’s season.
“We’re recognizing that very talented players are emerging from Japan,” Cashman discussed in a recent interview, highlighting the Yankees’ strategy to bolster their roster with skilled international talents.
