Japan’s NPB newest ace is ready for the Show. Tatsuya Imai (27)—a right-hander for the Seibu Lions—has requested to be posted to MLB this offseason. With a mid-to-upper-90s fastball (peaks near 99) and a deep mix (slider, splitter, change, curve, sinker look), he just finished a dominant 2025 highlighted by a 17-strikeout shutout and a combined no-hitter.
If posted, all 30 MLB teams will have a 45-day window to negotiate. Who should make the strongest offer—and what role do you see for him Day 1? Starter two? Frontline upside?
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Full japanese starter rotation for the dodgers please 😂😂😂
Additionally, he had the highest average fastball velocity of all qualified pitchers in NPB this season at 94.9 MPH which is better than the MLB average of 94.3 MPH
The Dodgers: 📝 👀 😂
Orioles? 😃
Not trying to sound bad when I say this but there needs to be a Jap Cap in MLB. Three per team. If the Dodgers want him, they have to trade 1 of the three they already have.
He’s a Giant, you saw it here first
Tatsuya Imai is gonna love callin Oracle Park home
San Francisco Giants needs him!!! Keeping my fingers crossed. 🧡🖤⚾️
Dodger players for sure
Boras guy. Dodgers steer clear of.
Mets!
Yankees
Cub
Please go to the Jays
I promise there will be a highlight clip with a thumbnail that reads "Imai, Oh My!"
Dodgers: 👀👀👀
Padres: 📝 ✏️ Darvish 👦🏻
The yankee need to grab this kid and quick.
Another small giant that's gonna shine like Yamamoto in the big leagues. Dude's 5'11" (generously) and his weight is crazier at 154lbs, truly one of a kind.
Yankees have a chance to make the greatest modern day pitcher rotation with this kid
Gerrit Cole
Max Fried
Can Schlittler
Tatsuya Imai cmon Yankees grab this kid
I hope juss hope fingers crossed the dodgers don’t get him and I’m a dodger fan
Can’t wait for ohtani to take him deep
dbacks are looking at getting him if he plays for the dbacks hell paly like shit
He's Going To The Chicago Cubs
Ok He's Going To The Chicago Cubs
Yankees need him