Overview
- The posting on Nov. 19 starts a 45-day period through early January for all 30 MLB teams to negotiate with Imai.
- Boras said Imai prefers big markets and winning clubs, with the Yankees and Mets widely viewed as logical pursuers.
- Imai went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts in 163 2/3 innings in 2025 and owns a career 3.15 ERA in eight NPB seasons.
- Scouts project a mid-rotation MLB starter with a fastball in the mid-90s that can touch 99 mph and effective splitter and slider.
- Contract forecasts range broadly from $80 million to $200 million, while MLBTR projects about six years and $150 million, which would carry an estimated $24.375 million posting fee under the MLB–NPB formula.