One familiar problem could stand in way of Yankees' pursuit of Japanese ace

Whether you're optimistic about the Yankees' rumored pursuit of Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai, or naturally pessimistic about their free agent pursuits, there's a strong angle for you to latch onto here.

All indications are the Yankees will be a full go in Imai's market after being shut out of every NPB chase they've pursued since Masahiro Tanaka. Other rumored candidates include the Mets and Padres, but no team seems ready to go quite as full steam as the Yankees (though, again, it's early). Brian Cashman hasn't spoken explicitly about the hurler, but has made it very clear his team is overdue for an overseas splash, telling reporters, “Those (days) are too long gone" at the GM Meetings.

There are other Japanese stars available this offseason. Munetaka Murakami, a slugging first baseman, was penciled in as an informal Yankees target several years back, long before his difficult WBC showing. The versatile Kazuma Okamoto, whom the Yankees reportedly scouted over the weekend, will come cheaper, and could more succinctly fill New York's needs.

Okamoto could be a pocket knife, but Imai could provide long-term stability and upside in a rotation currently crowded with plenty of potentially elite maybes. He's represented by Scott Boras, a mega-agent who the Yankees have a particularly strong relationship with — and the person they'll have to placate in order to reunite with Cody Bellinger.

Of course, that years-long relationship can help open the door, but it won't make Imai's price go down. According to Yankees insider Brendan Kuty, that remains the Yankees' No. 1 blocker. Tim Britton's projected Imai contract is $190 million. Just because he isn't Yoshinobu Yamamoto doesn't mean he's a hidden secret. The Yankees will need to pay up if they want to reign supreme in a market that everyone else would love to be a part of, too.

Yankees could get priced out of Tatsuya Imai free agency sweepstakes

Here's where the pessimism kicks in. Sure. The Yankees could absolutely use a trustworthy starting pitcher they can pencil in between Max Fried and Cam Schlittler long-term. Neither Gerrit Cole nor Carlos Rodón is under contract beyond three years.

But, given their eternal budgetary constraints, will they be willing to go that far to fill a rotation spot? Or will they sell their starting five as a strength, committing to innings eaters like Ryan Yarbrough, but not to potential pitchers with playoff upside? Their rotation is currently crowded with pitchers with pedigree who transcend the "question mark" label, but they're already decimated, and that only gets worse, not better, as time drags on. If Imai clicks, he'll help for the next half-decade. If he doesn't? Wouldn't a Merrill Kelly type be a better solution to their current depth problem?

Don't shoot the messenger — we're just letting you know what the Yankees could easily argue, given that budget is probably their No. 1 Imai blocker.