Another reason Imai makes sense for the Mets is the current state of the free-agent market. The top available starters — Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, and Ranger Suárez — all offer upside but come with significant questions regarding health, consistency, or age. The three pitchers are also expected to command contracts exceeding $100 million.

Welcome to the Major League Baseball offseason, a time when Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are projected to sign every top-tier

Tatsuya Imai joins Framber Valdez and Dylan Cease atop MLB Free Agency rumors as the Seibu Lions post the 99-mph Japanese ace for MLB.

The Washington Nationals made franchise history last offseason when they signed Shinnosuke Ogasawara out of Japan. Considering how prominent that market has become in the pantheon of having success in Major League Baseball,

Imai has a 3.15 ERA over 963 2/3 career innings with the Lions, with a 22.31% strikeout rate and a 11.52% walk rate. While that career walk rate is on the high side, Imai has reduced that number in each of his last four seasons,

The Toronto Blue Jays have come up short in their pursuit of Japanese stars the past few cycles. While Shohei Ohtani was already an established big league star

The New York Yankees free agent target to bolster the starting rotation just received a massive contract prediction.

The next pitching talent from NPB will be posted this offseason, allowing MLB teams to move for the 27-year-old star.

Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs great Kyle Hendricks set to retire from playing after 12 major-league seasons. “Hendricks spent all but one year of his decorated major-league career with the Cubs.” North Side Baseball has more.