The New York Yankees are being identified as top contenders to land Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai this offseason, as the posting system with the Saitama Seibu Lions is confirmed and Major League clubs prepare to vie for his services.
The 27-year-old right-hander has vaulted into the spotlight after a dominant run in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and is now viewed as potentially transformative for a rotation that has flirted with contention but still seeks a definitive ace.
Last week, it was reported that the Lions accepted Imai‘s request to be posted, making him available to MLB teams and triggering a 45-day negotiation window.
The timing is intriguing. With the New York Yankees facing questions about their starting-pitching depth and looking across the globe for added options, Imai presents as a serious candidate for the next overseas breakout.
Reports already link him closely to New York as a landing spot.
Breaking down Imai’s strengths as a pitcher
Imai‘s profile is not your typical overseas signing. Scouts point to a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and touches 98-99 mph, paired with a slider, splitter, changeup, and curve, a mix at once diverse and polished.
His performance in Japan this year has backed up the hype: he recorded a 1.92 ERA across 163.2 innings in 2025, striking out 178 batters.
If the Yankees opt to pursue Imai, this could mark a dual strategic move: strengthening their pitching staff and re-energizing their profile in the Japanese talent market.
FanSided’s Jake Elman said back in September, “Don’t be surprised to see the New York Yankees … go all-in on trying to land Imai, especially given their history in attracting Japanese pitchers.”
From a roster perspective, the Yankees already have Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and others in development.
What Imai adds is a high-ceiling arm who could slot as a No. 2 or No. 3 starter rather than a stopgap.
Given his command trends (walks per nine innings dropping in recent seasons) and strike-out rate growth, he presents as less of a gamble than many aging veterans.
Still, there are adjustments. MLB uses a bigger, slicker ball, which can impact spin rates and effectiveness for pitchers transitioning from NPB.
As Empire Sports Media’s Ryan Garcia noted: “The already-existing pitch mix that Tatsuya Imai has is intriguing, sporting a four-seamer that generates better-than-average vertical movement from his 5’0 release height.”
He added that “you can expect that ride to go from above-average to about average when he goes from using an NPB ball to an MLB one.”
Further, while Imai‘s height and frame (5-11, 154 lb) might raise eyebrows, the results thus far speak for themselves.
The 45-day window now begins ticking. If the posting is formally approved and negotiations progress, the Yankees could be locked in a bidding war with several other high-payroll clubs.
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