Overview
- With four days left before the Jan. 2 posting cutoff, Tatsuya Imai told TV Asahi he has not received a formal MLB offer.
- Agent Scott Boras is steering late talks after exploratory interest from the Phillies, Cubs, Mets, Red Sox and Rays did not produce proposals.
- The Yankees’ pursuit has cooled, with YES Network’s Jack Curry saying no real connection and Aaron Boone confirming no meetings.
- Imai has ruled out joining the Dodgers and has requested inclusion of his trainer and an interpreter in any agreement.
- Dominant 2025 NPB results (1.92 ERA, 178 strikeouts in 163 2/3 innings) drove early nine-figure projections, though expectations have eased after Munetaka Murakami’s smaller deal; if unsigned by the deadline, he returns to the Seibu Lions.