NEW YORK — Scott Boras told teams Tatsuya Imai had done everything Yoshinobu Yamamoto accomplished in Japan. He projected a contract worth $150 million. Now, with fewer than 72 hours until the posting window closes, the super agent faces an uncomfortable reality. His client still does not have a firm major league offer.
The Japanese right-hander must sign with an MLB club by 5 p.m. ET on January 2. Otherwise, he returns to the Saitama Seibu Lions for the 2026 season. What was supposed to be a bidding war among 10 or more teams has turned into something far less certain.
The New York Yankees remain among the finalists. So do the Cubs, Phillies, and Mets. Yet none have stepped forward with the kind of contract Boras envisioned when this process began six weeks ago.
Imai speaks out as deadline looms
During an appearance on TV Asahi’s “Udo Times” program this weekend, Imai offered a candid assessment of his situation. The 27-year-old acknowledged that interest and offers are not the same thing.
“Apparently, there actually aren’t many concrete options on the table yet,” Imai said. “And it seems that having teams show interest and receiving a formal offer are completely different things.”
The pitcher is currently in the United States meeting with teams via Zoom. Boras had initially planned to narrow the list to three or four serious suitors before bringing Imai to America for in-person visits. That strategy assumed multiple teams would make competitive bids.
“It seems that there aren’t really many specific candidates coming up unexpectedly,” Imai added. “I’m thinking of trying to make the best choice, with family to consider as well, and make a good decision.”
Why teams are hesitating
The numbers from Japan are impressive. Imai posted a 1.92 ERA with 178 strikeouts across 163 2/3 innings in 2025. He earned three NPB All-Star selections during his career with the Seibu Lions. His 3.15 career ERA spans nearly 964 innings over eight seasons.
His fastball sits in the mid-90s and touches 99 mph. He throws from a low arm slot that creates a unique angle. MLB scouts have compared his style to Luis Castillo and Joe Ryan. FanGraphs analysts projected him as a mid-rotation starter with immediate impact potential.
Yet concerns persist. At 5-foot-11 and 154 pounds, Imai is undersized for a major league starter. He has a history of control problems, though his walk rate improved dramatically over the past three seasons. His strikeout rate jumped while his walks dropped to a career-low 2.5 BB/9 in 2025.
The bigger issue may be the market itself. Several elite MLB free agent starters remain unsigned. Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, and Zac Gallen still wait for deals. Teams that might have pursued Imai aggressively are focused on proven major league arms first.
Where the Yankees stand
The Yankees have scouted Imai thoroughly, according to The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner. General manager Brian Cashman has publicly praised the pitcher. New York wants to reestablish itself in the Japanese market after ceding ground to the Dodgers in recent years.
The fit makes sense on paper. Gerrit Cole is recovering from Tommy John surgery and targets a return between late May and early June. Carlos Rodon is working back from elbow surgery with a late April or early May timeline. The Yankees need rotation depth for the first half of the season.
At full strength, New York’s rotation features Cole, Max Fried, Rodon, Cam Schlittler, and Luis Gil. Imai would not need to carry a heavy load. He could ease into major league baseball as a back-end starter before transitioning to a different role when the aces return.
YES Network’s Jack Curry reported last week that “the connection does not exist” between the Yankees and Imai. But circumstances change quickly when a deadline approaches. MLB insider Francys Romero has listed the Yankees among the finalists for Imai’s services.
The financial angle shifts in New York’s favor
Reports surfaced in November that owner Hal Steinbrenner wanted to reduce the Yankees’ payroll to under $300 million. That created doubts about New York’s ability to pursue high-priced free agents.
The lack of formal offers for Imai could actually benefit the Yankees. ESPN originally projected a six-year, $135 million deal. MLB Trade Rumors estimated $150 million over six years. With the deadline approaching and limited interest materializing, those numbers may prove unrealistic.
The precedent was set earlier this winter. Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami was expected to command nearly $30 million annually. He ended up signing a two-year, $34 million deal with the White Sox just before his posting window closed. Desperation creates opportunity.
If Imai and Boras are willing to lower their contract demands in the final hours, the Yankees could swoop in with a team-friendly offer. New York would love to add a Japanese player to its roster. The team has not had one since 2020.
The clock is ticking
Boras must work fast. The super agent has built his reputation on maximizing value for clients. He has praised Imai as a difference-maker since the posting began on November 18. Now he faces the challenge of securing any deal, let alone the blockbuster he envisioned.
“There are many teams that are interested in him, and we are moving forward with negotiations,” Boras told Hochi News.
Imai has made one thing clear. He will not sign with the Dodgers. He wants to compete against Yamamoto and the defending World Series champions, not join them.
The pitcher also requested that any contract include provisions for his trainer and interpreter. Family considerations will play a role in his decision. He approaches this process with thoughtfulness beyond financial figures.
The Yankees, Cubs, Phillies, Mets, and Rays have all been linked to Imai’s market. Someone will blink before Thursday afternoon. Whether that team offers the kind of money Boras promised or something far more modest remains the central question of this final countdown.
For the Yankees, this represents a low-risk opportunity to add a high-upside arm. For Imai, the next 72 hours will determine whether his MLB dream begins this spring or waits another year in Japan.
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