The New York Yankees were heavily linked to star pitcher Tatsuya Imai this offseason, but it appears that’s no longer the case.
Imai was posted this offseason and is one of the top International Free Agents available. The Yankees were expected to pursue him to bolster their rotation. Especially with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt missing the beginning of the season.
Yet, Yankees insider Jack Curry reported New York doesn’t have interest in Imai, and the connection between them has never existed.
“Yeah, you talk about Imai, and in a lot of places there’s the connection between Imai and the Yankees being made,” Curry said on MLB’s Hot Stove. “I want to tell you, the vibe that I’m getting is that that connection does not exist.”
The Yankees’ lack of connection with Imai is surprising, as many had predicted he would land with New York.
Imai’s posting window ends on January 2 at 4 p.m. ET, and if he gets a deal done before the deadline, it won’t be with the Yankees, according to Curry.
Imai went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA in 24 games over 163.2 innings last season in Japan.
Yankees Hadn’t Met With Imai
Despite many insiders linking Imai to the Yankees, it appears the interest between the two was never there.
As Imai was starting to meet with teams, it was confirmed that the Yankees had yet to meet with him. Meanwhile, Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed the team hadn’t had a meeting with Imai.
“I don’t know,” Boone said on Dec. 19 when asked if a meeting with Imai would happen.
Many fans thought that was just a smokescreen from Boone to not show the Yankees’ true interest in the right-hander. However, after Curry’s report, it does appear that New York isn’t a true landing spot for Imai.
What is Imai Expected to Get in Free Agency?
Imai was one of the top free agent starting pitchers available, and several teams were expected to show interest in him.
ESPN MLB insider Kiley McDaniel predicted Imai will sign a six-year, $135 million deal, plus a $22.125 million posting fee.
“Imai likely gets the biggest deal of any foreign professional this winter and is more of a solid No. 2 or No. 3 starter with some risk to get there than a potential ace. But his age and the lack of a qualifying offer will help bring up the amount teams are willing to pay for him,” McDaniel wrote.
“Imai will be subject to the posting system. The posting fee for this projected contract would be just over $22 million, paid to his NPB club, for an all-in cost of just over $157 million ($26.2M AAV). … Every team would love to land a steady midrotation starter on a deal where half of it will take place in his 20s. If I miss this projection by $25 million or more, it’ll probably be because he got more money, not less.”
Imai is 27 and should be a front-of-the-rotation starter for years to come.
Latest on Imai as Deadline Looms
Imai’s posting window ends on Friday, and there hasn’t been a ton of information on the right-hander.
However, MLBTradeRumors reported on Thursday that they expect Imai to get a deal done before the posting window ends.
“Imai reportedly began in-person meetings with teams earlier this week. And, while no new rumors have percolated as a result of those meetings, the right-hander figures to be in the final stages of his decision-making process at this point,” the article read.
Early on, teams like the Mets, Yankees, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were linked to Imai. But, whether or not one of those teams or a surprise team will sign him is to be seen.
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