Yankees make frustrating decision amid Astros $63 million Tatsuya Imai signing

Matt Sullivan

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Yankees make frustrating decision amid Astros $63 million Tatsuya Imai signing image

The New York Yankees haven't been involved in much this winter. They have been linked to some top players, like Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, and a few top starters. But, they've not landed a top free agent yet.

According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the Astros got top starting pitcher from Japan, Tatsuya Imai, on a three-year, $63 million deal. This is an offer the Yankees could've, and should've made.

But, just like how Devin Williams and Luke Weaver departed to join the New York Mets with little interest from the Yankees, the Yankees missed out on Imai on a reasonable contract.

Yankees make frustrating decision amid Tatsuya Imai's Astros deal

With Imai singing with the Astros, the Yankees now have fewer options to sign for the starting rotation. This isn't a random connection either, as in the week leading up to this deal, the Yankees were reportedly in the running for Imai.

The 27-year-old Japanese ace had a 1.92 ERA for the Seibu Lions in 2025 and was one of the top pitchers left on the market. And with his market not being a robust one, the Yankees would've had to spend as much on him as some other top free agents.

Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez might land larger and longer deals than what Imai got from Houston. He chose a higher AAV, but fewer years, instead of a long-term, smaller AAV deal.

That's a contract the Yankees should've been okay making, as it's a more than reasonable deal for a starter who has ace-level potential. While there's some risk, the reward is immensely high.

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The Yankees have not been spending big this winter, despite being linked to multiple top free agents. Their interest in Imai was real, and he was a player often linked to the Yankees this offseason.

But, despite having an interest in Imai and having the means to sign him to a long or short-term deal, the Yankees missed out. While it's not known if they offered a competitive contract to Imai, the Yankees' missing out on another top free agent is a tough look.

It's been a frustrating offseason for Yankees fans, and this Imai to the Astros signing, for $63 million over three years with opt-outs after each season, is a big miss by the Yankees.

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