THE BRONX — The clock is ticking on Tatsuya Imai‘s free agency. The Yankees? They have not even scheduled a meeting.
That revelation from manager Aaron Boone on Friday sent a jolt through a fan base already anxious about the direction of this offseason. With Imai’s Jan. 2 signing deadline approaching, Boone’s admission raises serious questions about what the Yankees are actually doing.
Asked if he expects the team to meet with the Japanese right-hander, Boone offered a response that said everything and nothing at the same time.
“I don’t know,” Boone said.
Yankees’ quiet approach contradicts earlier reports
The Yankees have been linked to Imai since his posting by the Saitama Seibu Lions in November. Former Mets general manager Steve Phillips said on MLB Network Radio that the team was “aggressively in the market” for a starter.
“The reports are right now are that the Yankees are aggressively in the market for a starter and they’re in a position to either get Imai or Michael King,” Phillips said. “It does sound like they may be blowing up the budget a little bit to land one more starting pitcher, in addition to still needing to get (Cody) Bellinger and/or somebody else for their outfield.”
Boone’s remarks Friday tell a different story. The Yankees have not met with Imai. They have not scheduled anything. And Boone does not know if they will.
YES Network’s Jack Curry shared similar pessimism earlier in the week. He said he was not sure if there would be a connection between the two sides.
Rotation injuries create urgent need for arms
The Yankees desperately need pitching. That is not up for debate.
Gerrit Cole will miss Opening Day as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The ace is targeting a May or June return. Carlos Rodon underwent elbow surgery in October and will not be ready until late April or May. Clarke Schmidt had Tommy John in July and may miss the entire 2026 season.
That leaves Max Fried as the only guaranteed healthy starter when spring training arrives. Rookie sensation Cam Schlittler and Will Warren will fill spots, but questions surround both.
Imai would solve a lot of problems. The 27-year-old posted a 1.92 ERA with 178 strikeouts in 163 innings for the Seibu Lions in 2025. He has a 2.14 ERA over his last 49 starts spanning two seasons with 365 strikeouts in 337 innings.
His fastball reaches 99 mph. His slider and changeup give him weapons against both sides of the plate. He is exactly the kind of arm the Yankees need right now.
Price tag may be the sticking point
Imai is represented by Scott Boras. That alone signals a massive payday is coming.
Reports suggest teams are offering contracts in the $150 million to $200 million range. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Cubs, Phillies and Yankees are all expected to make strong runs at the Japanese ace.
The Yankees have history with Japanese pitchers. They pursued Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki in recent years. They lost all three. Ohtani went to the Angels. Yamamoto and Sasaki chose the Dodgers.
The Yankees offered Yamamoto $300 million. That fell short of the $325 million the Dodgers provided.
Imai presents a different opportunity. He has said he wants to beat the Dodgers, not join them. He told a Japanese outlet: “They don’t need me.” That should work in the Yankees’ favor. But only if they actually engage.
Bellinger pursuit adds another layer of uncertainty
The Yankees have made Cody Bellinger their top offseason priority. General manager Brian Cashman and Boone have both said they want the outfielder back.
Bellinger thrived in the Bronx during his lone season with the team. He hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs. He posted a 4.9 fWAR, his best mark since winning NL MVP in 2019.
But Bellinger’s contract demands have raised eyebrows. Reports suggest he wants an eight-year, $400 million deal. ESPN projects him closer to five years and $170 million. The gap remains wide.
Phillips noted the difficult position the Yankees face.
“It’s going to be interesting with what the Yankees do because if they lose Bellinger, their pivot is not all that clear,” Phillips said. “They’re in on the pitcher, King or Imai, they’re in on Bellinger. What do they do if they don’t get any of those three?”
Michael King already off the board
The Yankees traded Michael King to San Diego as part of the Juan Soto deal in 2023. He became an All-Star with the Padres and hit free agency after declining his mutual option.
Reports indicate the Yankees did not make an offer to King. He signed a three-year, $75 million extension with San Diego.
That leaves Imai as the top pitching target remaining. The Cubs and Phillies are also in the mix. Time is running out.
Fans left wondering what comes next
The Yankees have been one of the quietest teams in baseball this offseason. Rule 5 pick Cade Winquest remains their only external addition.
Boone insists the front office is “grinding away” behind the scenes. He maintains confidence in the roster they already have.
“I know we have a really good team right now,” Boone said Friday. “We have a lot of really good players on our roster. It’s probably not finished. There’ll be tweaks, I’m sure, up until spring training.”
Tweaks may not be enough. The Yankees lost to the Blue Jays in the ALDS after winning 94 games. They need to get better, not stay the same.
Whether that means landing Imai, re-signing Bellinger, or finding another path forward remains to be seen. Right now, the only certainty is uncertainty itself.
Imai has two weeks to make his decision. The Yankees may or may not be part of that conversation. And that might be the most telling detail of all.
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