MLB analysts tip Giants as surprise frontrunner over $8.2B AL East powerhouse for Tatsuya Imai

The New York Yankees, valued at $8.2 billion by Forbes, are lagging behind the San Francisco Giants in their race to sign Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai, according to the latest survey conducted among 16 MLB executives by ESPN and a couple of analysts.

In their show Just Baseball Media on Wednesday, Peter Appel and Jack McMullen discussed potential landing spots for Imai. They considered the Japanese star's recent statements about wanting to beat the best team, the Dodgers, and figured that the Giants would be the best team for him to go.

"So, favorite number one runaway train should be the San Francisco Giants," McMullen said (2:30).

Appel "couldn't agree more" as even he had the Giants now as his frontrunner to land Imai. Appel said:

"It's a very easy pitch for new GM Buster Posey to say, 'Come on over here. Let's go beat those Dodgers.' Except they're the Dodgers, but they're the Giants of the baseball world."

Appel also mentioned his next two teams, which were the Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. Appel added:

"Number two, to me, is the Yankees. And I totally understand the Blue Jays as well, because it's a similar pitch for both of them. They don't really have any Japanese players, and the last two World Series losses have been the Yankees and the Blue Jays.

"So those pitches can be, 'We need you to get over the hump. We've proven that we can get here, and you're the missing piece. Come here and be the star of our team.'"

Appel also mentioned the Blue Jays might not need to go after Imai and offer him a $150 million deal since they already have four solid pitchers in their rotation, including Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber and Jose Berrios. That's why he kept the Yankees behind the Giants for Imai's potential landing spot.

Meanwhile, as per the survey, the Giants received five votes, and the Yankees received three votes, while the LA Dodgers (3), Chicago Cubs (2), Blue Jays (1) and San Diego Padres (1) also got due consideration as potential landing spots for the Japanese star by 16 MLB executives.

"The Giants have been in the hunt [for a Japanese pitcher] in the past; pairing Imai with Logan Webb makes a ton of sense," one executive said.

The Giants' rotation could use someone besides Logan Webb to give them an edge in the National League. Imai has an amazing six-pitching arsenal, and his 2025 stats (1.92 ERA, 178 K) look like exactly what the Giants are seeking this offseason to load their rotation.

Meanwhile, one executive also mentioned why the Dodgers should never be considered out when it comes to bringing someone of that quality from Japan.

"Dodgers," another said. "Seems like they have that market somewhat cornered."

Moreover, one executive believes the Cubs are in the race as much after Shota Imanaga chose to return on a qualifying offer.

"The Cubs have already stated they need more pitching, and they should have room even after Imanaga returned," another executive added.

Tatsuya Imai not interested in Dodgers and Giants becomes all more convenient

The Giants would certainly enjoy Tatsuya Imai's latest statement against the powerhouse Dodgers, which boasts top Japanese talents like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.

Instead of following the suit, Imai would rather go against the Dodgers and take them down.

"Of course, I’d enjoy playing alongside [Shohei] Ohtani, [Yoshinobu] Yamamoto, and [Rōki] Sasaki, but winning against a team like that and becoming a world champion would be the most valuable thing in my life,” Imai told MLB.com’s Michael Clair and Ayako Oikawa. "If anything, I'd rather take them down."

If Imai wants to do that, the Giants are the top candidates. The Dodgers and the Giants are known to be fierce rivals in the NL West. Both play several games during the regular season, and their rivalry often fills the emotions among fans.

As such, there can't be more perfect place for Imai than the Giants or even the Padres for that matter if he really wants to defeat the Dodgers.