The New York Yankees need to get the ball rolling. For the storied organization to push closer to a World Series appearance, it must add several key pieces. It’s no secret that they could use an arm or two on the mound.
The team’s website lists seven starters in its rotation, with Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, Max Fried, and Cam Schlittler being the highlights. That’s a good rotation, but adding a free agent ace should be a top priority for the organization this offseason. This bodes well for Tatsuya Imai, who has recently been named an excellent fit for the Yankees organization.
Tatsuya Imai’s Fit With the New York Yankees
A (brief) new report was shared on Sunday, November 16th. According to Yankeesource on X, a NPB scout has spoken highly of the potential fit between Imai and the Yankees.
“His slider could be a real weapon against lefties in their park,” Yankeesource wrote on X on November 16, 2025. “He does need to command the split a little better and maintain the changeup, or right-handed hitters will give him some trouble. Overall, he’s a great fit for that team.”
Naturally, Yankees fans should be jumping for joy at this news. Imai, 27, put his pitches to good use in 2025, striking out 178 batters in 163 2/3 innings, to go along with five complete games, including three shutouts, in 24 appearances. Additionally, he posted a 0.892 WHIP and a 1.92 ERA.
Tatsuya Imai a Mid-Rotation Addition
Another report provides additional information, offering fans a more in-depth look. Brendan Kuty of The Athletic wrote about the prolonged absence of a rising Japanese talent on the Yankees roster. He published a piece on the potential fit of Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto, and Imai with the Yankees.
“Imai likely fits their needs best, though cases could be made for Murakami and Okamoto,” Kuty wrote on November 17th, 2025. “Imai is a right-hander with serious upside, and the Yankees are interested in him. They view him (as many teams do) as at least a mid-rotation type, according to a league source. Though he’s a bit undersized at 5-foot-11, his fastball reaches the mid- to upper-90s, and it comes from a low slot, a funky look for hitters.”
“He also throws a slider, a cutter, and a splitter that is less consistent than his heater.”
Having several pitches in your arsenal is never a bad thing. With the heat that Imai can bring with his fastball, to go along with a strong slider and a couple of others to mix things up, he looks like he has the goods to make an impact.
Yankees Will Have Competition For Imai’s Services
The Yankees have a significant interest in the Japanese arm, but they will have competition for his services. The Athletic has the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers as the best potential fits.
They are also predicting an eight-year, $190 million deal for Imai.
Another report that should concern Yankees’ fans involves the Toronto Blue Jays‘ potential interest in Imai. Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet published Blue Jays’ GM Ross Atkins’ thoughts on the idea of Toronto adding the NPB ace.
“A good player with a really interesting arsenal that had an incredible year,” Atkins said via Nicholson-Smith on November 13, 2025. “So we’ve done the work and we have some more work to do on that front, but I’m glad that he’s going to be an option for the industry.”
The Yankees might have to be the highest bidder if they hope to land Imai. The Blue Jays have more rotation positions available and could be a more enticing situation for the 27-year-old.
It’s shaping up to be an interesting offseason for the Yankees.
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