Overview
- Imai was formally approved for posting by Seibu on Monday, giving MLB clubs 45 days to negotiate with the 27-year-old right-hander after a 1.92 ERA, 178-strikeout season over 163 2/3 innings.
- Murakami has been posted by Yakult and enters his age-26 season with elite power credentials, though recent analyses spotlight elevated whiff rates and struggles versus 93 mph-plus pitching.
- Under the MLB–NPB agreement, each posted player has a 45-day window to reach a deal, and the NPB club receives a tiered posting fee of 20% on the first $25 million, 17.5% on the next $25 million, and 15% above $50 million.
- Industry reporting projects a robust market: MLB Trade Rumors pegs Imai for roughly six years and $150 million, and Jeff Passan has suggested Murakami could command a nine-figure contract.
- Early suitor chatter cites the Yankees, Giants, Mets, and Red Sox among clubs linked to Imai, while Murakami has been tied to teams such as the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Mariners, and Padres, with some reports downplaying Dodgers involvement.