The New York Yankees are in the midst of a divisional battle with the playoffs rapidly approaching after yet another offseason of star acquisitions.
This past winter, the Yankees padded their roster with veterans like Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams. But they are now clinging onto a wild card spot and could find themselves out of the playoff picture or quickly sent home if their play does not significantly improve in the remaining weeks.
As a result, the Yankees could be looking to make some splashy additions once again this winter. And with several stars of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league looking to join Major League Baseball, that could include at least one star transplant from overseas.
“With a vicious slider, a changeup, a splitter, a curveball and a sinker he picked up this season, (Tatsuya) Imai has the sort of pitch mix that teams covet,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote of the NPB ace seeking to join MLB next year. “With Imai flashing excellent control for the first time in his career, it would make sense for the Saitama Seibu Lions to reap a hefty posting fee by allowing him to come to the majors now.”
Imai’s surge this season could have MLB teams comparing him to recent transplants like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga, who have enjoyed immediate success since coming stateside. Passan added that a front office official projected that Imai could earn more than $200 million in an MLB contract.
And because of the extent of pitching needs throughout baseball, several big market teams are likely to compete for Imai’s services if he does get posted. Writing for FanSided, Jake Elman predicted it will come down to the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres.
“Don’t be surprised to see the New York Yankees or San Diego Padres go all-in trying to land Imao, especially given their history in attracting Japanese pitchers,” Elman wrote. “Prediction: Imai signs with the Yankees or Padres.”
Slotted alongside Max Fried, Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole, Imai could be a strong addition to what projects to be a stacked Yankees rotation for next season and beyond.
Read more at: https://www.macon.com/sports/article311987114.html#storylink=cpy
