The New Year is a week away, and the New York Yankees have added just one player from outside the 2025 roster.
They selected right-hander Cade Winquest in the Rule 5 Draft from the St. Louis Cardinals, but they could use additional bullpen and rotation help.
The Yankees were one of the clubs rumored to show interest in Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai, but the YES Network's Jack Curry shut down the idea that there is strong interest in the 27-year-old from the Saitama Seibu Lions.
"The vibe between Imai and the Yankees does not exist," Curry said on an episode of Hot Stove on the YES Network on Tuesday night.
The Yankees have not met with Imai
On Saturday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed that his club has not met with Imai this winter.
"Aaron Boone said the Yankees have not met with Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai. He said he didn’t know if they will," The Athletic's Chris Kirschner wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
Imai posted a 1.92 ERA in 24 starts with the Lions in 2025, and averaged 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon will miss the start of the season while rehabbing from their respective surgeries, and Clarke Schmidt is set for a post-All-Star break return.
It should come as a surprise to many Yankees fans that they are not at least entertaining the idea of meeting with Imai.
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