NEW YORK — Tatsuya Imai just handed the Yankees a gift. And the Yankees might not even open it.
The Japanese flamethrower doubled down on his refusal to join the Dodgers this week. Los Angeles signed Edwin Diaz to bolster their bullpen. Imai still wants no part of it.
“With the number of pitchers they already have, they don’t need me,” Imai told Japanese outlet Sponichi Annex on Tuesday while working out at the Belluna Dome in Japan.
That statement should make every Bronx fan excited. One of the best pitchers on the free agent market just eliminated the biggest competitor from his list. But a troubling report suggests the Yankees might eliminate themselves from the race too.
The 27-year-old is done talking about joining LA
Weeks ago, Tatsuya Imai told Japanese legend Daisuke Matsuzaka that defeating the Dodgers to become champion would be “the most valuable thing in my life.” He has not backed down from that stance.
“Isn’t that what every player except those on the Dodgers thinks?” Imai said of wanting to beat the back-to-back World Series champions. “To me that’s only natural. I was just voicing what many players feel.”
His comments reached the Dodgers clubhouse. All-Star infielder Max Muncy responded on the “Foul Territory” podcast without knowing much about Imai.
“I mean, to be honest, it’s no different than any other starting pitcher out there — they all want to take us down,” Muncy said. “That’s what makes it fun to play for the Dodgers — you’re going to get everyone’s best every single night.”
Imai is not just talking. He stands at 5-foot-11 and 154 pounds. His fastball touches 99 mph. He posted a 1.92 ERA with 178 strikeouts across 163 innings for the Seibu Lions in 2025.
Agent Scott Boras said he will meet with interested teams after the Winter Meetings wrap up.
“You have a 27-year-old pitcher who throws 98, 99,” Boras said Tuesday in Orlando. “Teams look at that and say, ‘Believe me, in my wildest dreams I never expected someone like Imai to be available.'”
Yankees rotation is crumbling without help
The Yankees need a starting pitcher badly. Gerrit Cole is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is not expected back until May or June. Carlos Rodon had elbow surgery and will return in late April at the earliest. Clarke Schmidt may not pitch until mid-2026.
That leaves Max Fried as the only healthy veteran. The left-hander delivered in his debut season for the Yankees with a 19-5 record and 2.86 ERA. But he cannot carry the entire load.
Cam Schlittler showed promise as a rookie. Luis Gil battled injuries. The Yankees staff is thin. Adding Imai would change everything.
Brian Cashman confirmed interest during the Winter Meetings on Sunday.
“Very talented player coming over from Japan,” Cashman said on Yankees Hot Stove. “We’ve certainly taken our big swings trying to add talented players — whether they’re local or overseas. Scott Boras represents him, and he’s got a long list of talented players. I’m talking to a lot of different agents, but he’s obviously one of them.”
A troubling report dampens Yankees hopes
Here is where the excitement ends.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the Yankees may not be willing to spend big money on Imai. The reasoning? They already have three expensive arms in Cole, Fried and Rodon.
Sherman suggested the Yankees might be saving cash for next winter when Tarik Skubal hits free agency. The two-time Cy Young winner would be a massive addition.
But that plan has holes.
The Yankees are not a young team. Aaron Judge is 33. Giancarlo Stanton is 36. Cole is 35. Fried and Rodon are in their 30s.
New York does not have time to wait. Skubal could sign anywhere next year. If the Yankees skip on top talent this winter, they could waste another year of Judge in his prime.
The Yankees have not signed a Japanese player since Masahiro Tanaka in 2014. Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki both wore pinstripes before him. That pipeline dried up while the Dodgers collected Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki.
Owner Hal Steinbrenner said he would like to see a Japanese player on the Yankees roster.
“Baseball is king in Japan,” Steinbrenner said. “A lot of Japanese fans here in the US would love to see a player play for the Yankees. We’ve tried and we’ll continue to try.”
The market is heating up fast
Imai’s posting window runs through January 2. The Yankees and Mets are reportedly among the teams most interested in the right-hander. The Cubs, Red Sox and Phillies are also in the mix.
Reports estimate his contract could reach $150 million.
The Yankees could explore trade options. MacKenzie Gore, Freddy Peralta and Joe Ryan have all been mentioned as potential targets. But Cashman has a reputation for being stingy with prospects.
Meanwhile, the AL East is getting stronger. The Blue Jays signed Dylan Cease and came within one out of winning the World Series in 2025. The Red Sox added Sonny Gray. The Orioles signed Pete Alonso.
The Yankees cannot afford to sit still. Imai just removed his biggest obstacle by ruling out the Dodgers. The path is clearer than ever.
Whether the Yankees walk through that door remains the question haunting fans in the Bronx.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Imai hasn’t mentioned any team he would like to play for, only no to LA. They have to kick the tires hard on him instead of waiting for Skubal. Hal is definitely a penny pincher as he gets older. I don’t see many good things coming out of the winter meetings