Braves reportedly making aggressive push for $150M 3-time All-Star in organization-changing move

Hunter Cookston

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Braves reportedly making aggressive push for $150M 3-time All-Star in organization-changing move image

The Atlanta Braves are focused on keeping their roster as healthy as possible in 2026. Coming off last season, the Braves are eager to prove it was a fluke and that better days are ahead. However, one area that could become an issue beyond 2026 is the starting rotation, which currently carries several question marks.

“Beyond Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach, there are no clear locks for the Atlanta Braves rotation beyond 2026,’” HTHB’s Chase Owens wrote.

The Braves are still trying to sign at least one starting pitcher from this free-agent class, and one intriguing name has emerged. Japanese star Tatsuya Imai is set to be posted for only two more days, and Atlanta has shown interest.

“If Imai is to sign with a major league team, it's going to be sometime in the next 48 hours. The deadline to sign players from the NPB is Friday at 5 p.m. If the Braves are interested, there is going to have to been some movement with haste. Should they sign Imai, it would break a long-standing hesitance from the Braves to sign players from Japan,” SI’s Harrison Smajovits wrote.

Imai is one of the most notable pitching names available this offseason, though it has taken some time for strong contract offers to materialize. If his market aligns with projections, the Braves could be committing a significant amount of money.

“Imai has a much safer profile to project into MLB as a pitcher than Murakami does as a hitter. There's also a scarcity of potential frontline starters on the market this offseason that should make it more attractive for teams to feel comfortable giving him a deal closer to the projected $150 million deal that has been suggested,” Bleacher Report’s Adam Wells wrote.

Landing Imai would be a major move for Atlanta, but it would also come with risk, as he has yet to prove himself at the MLB level. Still, the potential reward could outweigh the risk.

Atlanta is searching for a long-term solution to eventually replace Chris Sale when he decides to step away, and Imai could help fill that role. With less than 48 hours remaining, the Braves remain firmly in the mix.

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