The New York Yankees are looking for a starting pitcher while balancing the lineup this winter. New York continues to focus its attention on outfielders Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker, but the pitching staff should be the main priority. In fact, the organization has been named an expected finalist for a star Japanese pitcher.
The Yankees are expected to be a finalist to sign Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai this winter, as reported by Francys Romero. Imai has been linked to New York for most of the offseason and would slot in as one of the team’s best starting pitchers, alongside Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, and Cam Schlittler.
The 27-year-old Japanese star would provide New York with even more pitching depth after struggling in the postseason. Imai has until January 2, 2026, to sign a contract with an MLB team, but that shouldn’t be a problem due to his high demand in free agency.
Why the New York Yankees should push to sign Tatsuya Imai
New York already has a strong rotation with Cole, Fried, and Schlittler; however, injuries are inevitable. Cole missed hte entire 2025 MLB season due to Tommy John surgery, so it is unclear how he will perform post-injury. In fact, the 35-year-old pitcher likely won’t be available until late spring or early summer.
Imai would give the Yankees another elite starting pitcher in case Cole doesn’t return to his previous form. Fried, Imai, and Shlittler would be a good trio for the AL Wild Card and AL Division Series, but the AL Championship Series would be a struggle if only two of them were available.
The Yankees would have to give Imai a long-term contract to secure his commitment. Therefore, it would give the organization a strong trio of starting pitchers for the foreseeable future. This doesn’t even include Carlos Rodon and Luis Gil for the 2026 MLB season.
Imai has a very strong free agency market with multiple teams interested in signing him to a long-term contract. The Yankees haven’t made a big splash during the 2025 MLB offseason yet, but that should be coming soon. If New York wants to sign Imai, it has to happen within the next two weeks.
