Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai, one of the most coveted figures on the international market, has made it clear that he does not dream of wearing the Dodgers uniform. On the contrary, the 27-year-old right-hander said he would rather “take them down,” a statement that has piqued the interest of the Yankees, who are looking to revamp their rotation for 2026.
Tatsuya Imai rejects Dodgers
In a free agency period dominated by the recruiting power of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tatsuya Imai burst in with a different stance. Posted on November 19 by the Seibu Lions during their 45-day window, the pitcher has quickly become one of the most eye-catching names on the market.
After a few inconsistent years in NPB, Imai found his best form from 2021 onwards, accumulating three All-Star appearances and participating in a combined no-hitter last season. His evolution has positioned him as a solid and rising starter, just the kind of piece the Yankees have been looking for over the past few seasons.
Agent Scott Boras commented during the managers’ meetings: “I think when you see him pitch, he leaves an indelible mark“.
During an interview with Daisuke Matsuzaka for TV Asahi, the pitcher did not hide his preferences. About the Dodgers, Imai was direct and with a laugh commented: “I would rather take them down“.
He then added another equally forceful reflection:
To beat a team like that and become world champion would be the most valuable thing in my life
Although he admitted that he “would like to play alongside Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki“, he made it clear that beating them would be much more exciting.
The Yankees have not had a Japanese player in their ranks for five years
For the Yankees, these words sound like a natural nod. The organization has not had a Japanese player since Masahiro Tanaka in 2020, a detail that fits with another desire of Imai himself: to join a team without compatriots to live a more authentic experience in the United States.
Tatsuya Imai’s numbers
With a career 3.15 ERA in 159 games and an impressive recent campaign of 1.92 ERA with 178 strikeouts in 163 innings, Imai arrives on the market with numbers that would entice any franchise with serious aspirations.
Tatsuya Imai wants to face Ohtani
When Matsuzaka asked him who he would like to face in MLB, Imai did not hesitate:
Shohei Ohtani. I’m really looking forward to seeing how far my fastball can go against him
The idea of competing against the best player in the world, and doing so as a rival, fits perfectly with his competitive mentality, and even more so with the philosophy of the Yankees.
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