Jason Burgos
One MLB insider believes the New York Mets are an early favorite for one of the best pitchers available in MLB free agency, and he happens to be from Japan.
Last month, the Mets completed another regular-season collapse that will send reverberations through the organization for months to come. After blowing leads in the division and Wild Card race, the first heads to roll were several members of the team’s coaching staff, such as pitching coach Jeremy Hefner.
There are also sure to be some notable changes on the roster as well. Especially when it comes to the pitching staff. While New York has some youngsters on the rise — Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong — they need more proven pitchers to lead the rotation in 2026. Veteran free agent stars like Dylan Cease and Michael King will certainly be on their radar.
However, according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, there is a different pitcher they will have a better chance of landing. In his rundown of the top 50 MLB free agents this offseason, Bowden ranked Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai ninth overall, and fourth when it comes to pitchers. Of the seven teams he believes are a good fit for the right-hander, he had the Mets at the top of his list.
- Tatsuya Imai stats: 10-5 record: 1.92 ERA, 0.892 WHIP, 178 SO, 45 BB, 163.2 IP
Tatsuya Imai projected to be middle of the rotation starter in MLB
Infielders Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto are the most talked-about Japanese players set to be posted this winter. However, Bowden has Imai ranked well ahead of his countrymen. He explained why the 27-year-old could land a deal worth $154 million.
“Imai is an undersized (listed at 5-foot-11, 154 pounds) right-handed starter for the Saitama Seibu Lions who is expected to be posted this offseason. He sits in the mid-90s with his fastball but can reach the high-90s when he needs it. His best secondary pitch is a wipeout slider, and he mixes in a changeup, splitter, curveball, and sinker. A two-time All-Star in Japan, Imai posted a 1.92 ERA in 163 2/3 innings this season. Despite his slight build, he’s been durable and profiles in MLB as a mid-rotation innings-eater who can keep hitters guessing.”
Jim Bowden
Imai’s ability to stay healthy will surely appeal to the Mets after they dealt with notable injuries to their pitching staff throughout the season.
