Overview
- YES Network’s Jack Curry said the Yankees’ supposed connection to 27-year-old NPB right-hander Tatsuya Imai “does not exist.”
- Manager Aaron Boone has acknowledged the club has not met with Imai and is unsure it will do so.
- Imai remains available to MLB teams only until January 2 under the posting system, compressing the decision timeline.
- Former Yankee Clint Frazier publicly urged the front office not to pass on Imai, contrasting with internal signals of limited pursuit.
- With Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt recovering from elbow procedures, insiders have floated Ryan Yarbrough as a potential No. 5 starter while some analysts still view New York as a fit.