Several players from overseas (KBO, NPB) have been posted by their respective leagues to come over to MLB. The Los Angeles Dodgers have set the framework for signing Japanese and Korean players over the years, but teams like the New York Mets would certainly like to get in on the action.
With the recent news of starter Tatsuya Imai being posted to MLB, the consensus is that Imai is one of the top-10 starters on the free agency market this season. In a recent prediction, it’s the Mets that sign the 1.92 ERA ace to a long-term deal.
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It’s important to note that players who transition from NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) to MLB come with a posting fee if they have less than nine years of professional experience. That narrows down the potential suitors for Tatsuya Imai to pretty much just the high spenders in baseball.
In a recent predictions piece by Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, it is the Mets that open up the checkbook and sign Imai to a five-year, $110 million deal:
“A nine-figure deal (before even factoring in the posting fee) is definitely on the table, though, as Imai is easily one of the six most coveted arms available this winter, possibly even the No. 1 target atop a number of big boards.”
“Prediction: Five years, $110M with New York Mets”
For those unaware about the NPB, it does typically favor pitching, but Imai’s numbers are still incredible. In 2025, with the Seibu Lions, Tatsuya Imai posted a 1.92 ERA over 163.2 innings, and a 9.8 K/9. MLB is a different breed, but Imai seems to be up for the task.
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Like many Japanese starters that have come into MLB, Imai ‘s arsenal features a strong 95+ MPH fastball and wipeout Splitter. He’s also known for his funky sliders, which actually move inside to right-handed batters instead of away from them (similar to Roki Sasaki).
The Mets should sign Tatsuya Imai due to his deep pitch mix, strong velocity, and established success in NPB. However, MLB offers much better offensive firepower, which Imai has not experienced.
For New York, though, they had a disappointing 2025 season after having MLB’s highest payroll, and owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations, David Stearn, are certainly eager to make amends with the fan base this offseason by making big signings like this.
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