Phillies mentioned as potential landing spot for three-time NPB All-Star pitcher

Jared Bloom

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Phillies mentioned as potential landing spot for three-time NPB All-Star pitcher image

The Philadelphia Phillies come into the offseason with a lot on their mind. They are at risk of losing some key players like Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Ranger Suarez in free agency. 

Those three have been big contributors, and the club will do its best to retain all three. However, that could wind up being quite difficult with other clubs having interest in these players. 

While some moves have already been made, the MLB Winter Meetings are likely to kick off a plethora of moves. Fans will want to pay attention when those meetings begin in a few days. 

Phillies mentioned as potential landing spot for three-time NPB All-Star pitcher 

One player's name has been picking up steam lately is Tatsuya Imai. He was a three-time All-Star in Japan and would like to play for a big-market team on the East Coast. That means the Phillies are a real threat here. 

ESPN's Jeff Passan views them as a potential landing spot, alongside the New York Yankees and New York Mets. 

"If Schwarber signs and unclogs the market, expect others to fall – either toward the end of the meetings or in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai could wind up with a big-market team on the East Coast, and the Yankees – with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon expected to miss the start of the season – Mets and Philadelphia are reasonable landing spots."

The Yankees could use another frontline starter with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon to miss the start of the 2026 season, and the Mets are looking to bolster their rotation and pair someone with Nolan McLean after his lights-out performance late in 2025. 

Adding Imai would improve Philadelphia's rotation, especially if they can retain Suarez as well. However, with the Yankees and Mets' level of spending, that could be tough.

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Contributing Writer