The San Francisco Giants could get involved with a new face to MLB this offseason.
Tatsuya Imai seems ticketed for free agency, and MLB.com's Mark Feinsand lists the Giants as the best fit to land the Japanese right-handed pitcher.
"Fresh off a season that saw him post a career-low 1.92 ERA over 163 2/3 innings, Imai seems likely to be posted by the Seibu Lions, adding another decorated Japanese star to this year’s free-agent market," Feinsand writes. "Imai, who is listed at 5-foot-11 and 154 pounds, throws in the mid-90s and features a six-pitch arsenal, helping him to a 2.21 ERA since the start of 2022. Given his age and recent performance, Imai should draw plenty of attention this offseason."
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While Imai isn't tall, he does appear to weigh more than that listed 154 pounds.
Regardless, he has star potential.
It's encouraging to whatever team ends up with him that he wasn't just a one-hit wonder. That 2.21 ERA since 2022 that Feinsand lists is a positive sign that his stuff consistently gets the job done.
Pitchers don't keep their ERAs quite as low when they arrive in MLB from NPB, but a guy at Imai's level should be an effective starting pitcher stateside.
Feinsand lists two big-market teams as the competition for Imai's signature: the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox.
Each of the Giants, Mets and Red Sox finished the 2025 season in slightly disappointing fashion, with both NL clubs failing to even make the postseason.
They could all use some positive offseason momentum. Signing Imai would be a step in the right direction.
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