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Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai is one of the top arms in free agency this season, and the former NPB pitcher is attracting many MLB teams due to his impressive pitching arsenal.
Imai has found great success with his mix of four-seam fastball, slider and splitter. ESPN's Kiley McDaniel highlighted the similarity of Imai's arsenal with Toronto Blue Jays pitching sensation Trey Yesavage.
"There's also a precedent for this exact arsenal succeeding in the big leagues: Trey Yesavage," McDaniel wrote. "Yesavage throws a four-seam fastball, an arm-side-moving slider and a splitter, and though his release (among the highest in the league) is different than Imai's (lower than average, because of his lower arm slot and below-average height) and Yesavage's splitter is better (among the best in the league), they're otherwise attacking hitters in a similar way."
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Yesavage enjoyed a stellar postseason in his rookie year with the Blue Jays, with his splitter troubling some of the best hitters in the game, like Shohei Ohtani. The Blue Jays' ace displayed strong command over his variations during a historic outing in Game 5 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Tatsuya Imai was posted for MLB teams last week and is set to arrive in the country to talk with major league teams in December. Imai posted a solid 1.92 ERA with 0.89 WHIP and 178 strikeouts in 162 2/3 innings in 2025 and has until Jan. 2 to sign a contract.
Yankees remain interested in Tatsuya Imai amid Cody Bellinger talks
The fact that teams won't have to give up a draft pick to land the Japanese ace makes him a lucrative option for several franchises looking to strengthen their rotation.
One of the teams heavily linked with the Japanese starter is the New York Yankees. While their division rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays (Dylan Cease) and the Boston Red Sox (Sonny Gray), have already signed starting pitchers this offseason, the Yankees are yet to make a move.
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Yankees are interested in Imai but are prioritising the re-signing of All-Star outfielder Cody Bellinger in free agency.
