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2h ago

Cubs Seen as Leading Player in Race for Seibu Ace Tatsuya Imai Before Jan. 2 Deadline

Teams face a compressed window to commit nine-figure money and a posting fee for the Seibu Lions right-hander.

Mar 24, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; A general view of the exterior of Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Tatsuya Imai was posted on Nov. 19 and has until Jan. 2 to sign with an MLB club, with no agreement announced yet.
  • The Cubs are widely reported as a strong suitor after backing off Dylan Cease before he signed with the Blue Jays, and they continue to seek a top-end starter.
  • The Phillies and Yankees have joined the mix per league reports, with the Mets and Orioles also linked to the right-hander.
  • Imai’s camp could hold in-person meetings with teams after the Winter Meetings if no deal is reached sooner.
  • Imai posted a 1.92 ERA in 2025 with mid-to-upper-90s velocity, and any contract will trigger a sliding posting fee to Seibu of 20% on the first $25 million, 17.5% on the next $25 million, and 15% beyond that.