Yankees Rumors: Tatsuya Imai signing sounding like more of a reality

New York Yankees fans hoping to land free-agent pitcher Tatsuya Imai have been beset for weeks by the fear that the Yanks might be outbid by one of Imai’s other powerful suitors. The talented right-hander from Japan is reportedly being pursued by the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and others. At what price point would Yankees general manager Brian Cashman remove himself from this race?

That’s a question that’s had Yankees fans tempering their expectations for Imai, but a new report from MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand goes in the other direction. Feinsand wrote on December 4 that the Yankees and Mets are the two clubs “most interested” in Imai, who has until January 2 to sign with a team.

Cashman said the club has kept tabs on Imai but didn't exactly sound convincing last time he spoke to the media. Then again, we know the Yankees usually do their best to operate in the shadows.

Yankees Rumors: Tatsuya Imai bidding could come down to battle with Mets

Imai is expected to meet with teams right after the Winter Meetings (per The Athletic). Interestingly, Feinsand made a point to remind readers that, among Imai’s reported suitors, the Yankees, Red Sox, and Cubs “have experience with big-name Japanese pitchers.” 

That might be a moot point in connection to Imai, however. So far, he seems like a free agent interested in marching to the beat of his own drum, if his "I want to beat — not join — the Dodgers" comments were of any indication.

A club’s history of Japanese pitching might not appeal to Imai as a deciding factor, but it sounds like a big stage might. You’d think this would give the New York teams an edge, which aligns with Feinsand’s reporting that the Imai gravity seems centered in the Big Apple at present. This is all presumptuous, and the money’s what’ll matter when negotiations (and a possible bidding war) intensify. Most reports estimate that Imai's contract could run as high as $150 million. 

There’s significant overpay risk involved with Imai if his MLB ceiling either tops out at No. 3 starter range or sinks lower, but his age (27) is what’s set to land him a handsome deal.

Moreover, the comparison to Yoshinobu Yamamoto feels lazy and maybe even insulting to the singularity of Yama. Imai’s diminutive stature is more of a concern than it is some sort of weird asset by virtue of it getting him compared to the recent World Series MVP.

That being said, the Yankees don’t need Imai to be an ace, and therein lies the logic behind their pursuit. If Imai could eat innings for them to start the year as he gets MLB-acclimated (and as Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole get healthy), Cashman should feel okay about paying a premium for a pitcher whose peak comes later, provided it does arrive at some point.