The New York Yankees are expected to be one of the many high-stakes gamblers this offseason with several Japanese phenoms hitting the free agent market. NYY is in a better position than most to land perhaps the jewel of the 2025/2026 international pitching market, Tatsuya Imai.
The Daily Mail, London’s No. 2 newspaper, picked up coverage of the Yankees’ pursuit of Imai. Naturally, the “next Shohei Ohtani” narrative appeared, though it should be noted that Imai’s dominant stuff, plus fellow 2025/2026 free agent Munetaka Murakami’s abilities at the plate, would have to combine for there to be a “next Shohei Ohtani.”
Imai is a potentially game-changing pitcher in his own right, though, with the chance to move the needle in New York, whether for the Mets or the Yankees, or in San Francisco, where the Giants are reportedly in on the Saitama Seibu Lions’ right-handed ace.
The best part? Per ESPN, “the team that signs Imai won't have to give up draft compensation like they will for fellow free agent starting pitchers Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, Ranger Suarez, Zac Gallen, Michael King, Shota Imanaga, and Brandon Woodruff.”
Which other starting pitchers can the Yankees sign?
If the Yankees miss out on Imai, there are plenty of other cheaper alternatives.
2011 AL MVP Justin Verlander, who terrorized New York for years with the Detroit Tigers, is strongly rumored. Toronto Blue Jays free agent Chris Bassitt is another name being linked to the Pinstripes.
Settling for either of those and missing out on one of the Japanese phenoms could be an unpopular decision in the Tri-State Area, though, especially if the Dodgers or Mets land Imai instead.
Baseball is evolving, and for the most part, it hasn’t evolved quickly enough in the Yankees’ front office. A dynasty is being built in central Los Angeles while the winningest team in MLB history is in the midst of the second-longest World Series drought of all time.
Brian Cashman has to answer for this eventually. He can only live off past success for so long.
Instead of reminiscing about the last time the Yankees got the premier international pitching target, Masahiro Tanaka, in 2014, Cashman should make a big splash in the present, albeit one with a much different style of pitching.
Ideally, that’s Imai.