The New York Yankees have not made a big splash in free agency yet, but there are still plenty of big names on the board, including Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai.
On Wednesday, MLB insider Francys Romero tabbed the Yankees as one of the finalists to land Imai. However, when speaking to reporters on Friday, Aaron Boone revealed that the Yankees have not met with or scheduled a meeting with Imai, per Yankees insider Gary Phillips.
“I don’t know,” Boone told Phillips when asked if he expected a meeting to happen.
Phillips reported at the winter meetings that Brian Cashman would not reveal if he expected the Yankees to meet with Imai. However, just because there is no meeting does not mean the Yankees will not engage in talks to sign him. Imai being in Japan for the majority of the offseason could play a role in the lack of a meeting.
The Yankees have kept most of their plans close to the vest this winter. However, adding Imai could be a great move for the team. Imai has been pitching in Nippon Professional Baseball’s Pacific League since 2018. He has a 3.15 ERA in 159 games. He was just posted by the Saitama Seibu Lions following his stellar season. He had a 1.92 ERA in 163 2/3 innings of work last season. He threw five complete games, three shutouts and notched 178 strikeouts.
Imai is 27 years old, and teams have until Jan. 2 to sign him, when his posting window closes. He has the potential to be an ace in the United States, and there may be plenty of teams interested in signing him. Unlike other Japanese superstars, the Dodgers may not be his preferred destination.
Imai told Daisuke Matsuzaka on the show, “Hodo Station,” earlier this offseason that he does not want to join the Dodgers. He noted he would rather join a team and take them down. This sentiment gives other teams a better chance to sign him.
More MLB: Former Cubs Pitcher, First-Round Draft Pick Dies Suddenly at 61
