Yankees Pass on Young, Talented Japanese Starter for Reasonable Deal
When free-agent starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai signed a three-year, $54 million guaranteed deal with the Houston Astros, it seemed like a no-brainer for the New York Yankees to pursue him. At just 27 years old, Imai is still considered relatively young compared to many of his peers, and his price tag was extremely reasonable by baseball standards. However, according to an insider, the Yankees never made an offer on Imai in the first place.
Sources close to the team revealed that the Yankees' assessment of Imai's skills was significantly lower than that of other teams. The main concern was that Imai wouldn't be able to thrive as a starter at the highest level due to his height and relatively unremarkable fastball, which only reaches the mid-90s. His slider, while potentially interesting, doesn't break as much as those used by many other top pitchers.
The Yankees are instead eyeing relievers or lower-tier starters who offer more upside but also come with higher price tags. Their rotation has become a pressing concern after injuries to Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón, which could keep them out of action for at least a month.
While the Imai signing might have alleviated some concerns about the Yankees' rotation, it's clear that they were never seriously in the hunt for him as a starter. The decision not to pursue Imai has left many fans wondering if the team is content with its current rotation and whether they'll be able to address their needs through trades or free agency.
Meanwhile, the Astros have bolstered their rotation with Imai's arrival, while other teams like the Chicago Cubs, who recently acquired Edward Cabrera, are becoming increasingly scarce in terms of top-tier pitching talent. The Yankees will need to act quickly if they hope to strengthen their rotation before the season gets underway.
When free-agent starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai signed a three-year, $54 million guaranteed deal with the Houston Astros, it seemed like a no-brainer for the New York Yankees to pursue him. At just 27 years old, Imai is still considered relatively young compared to many of his peers, and his price tag was extremely reasonable by baseball standards. However, according to an insider, the Yankees never made an offer on Imai in the first place.
Sources close to the team revealed that the Yankees' assessment of Imai's skills was significantly lower than that of other teams. The main concern was that Imai wouldn't be able to thrive as a starter at the highest level due to his height and relatively unremarkable fastball, which only reaches the mid-90s. His slider, while potentially interesting, doesn't break as much as those used by many other top pitchers.
The Yankees are instead eyeing relievers or lower-tier starters who offer more upside but also come with higher price tags. Their rotation has become a pressing concern after injuries to Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón, which could keep them out of action for at least a month.
While the Imai signing might have alleviated some concerns about the Yankees' rotation, it's clear that they were never seriously in the hunt for him as a starter. The decision not to pursue Imai has left many fans wondering if the team is content with its current rotation and whether they'll be able to address their needs through trades or free agency.
Meanwhile, the Astros have bolstered their rotation with Imai's arrival, while other teams like the Chicago Cubs, who recently acquired Edward Cabrera, are becoming increasingly scarce in terms of top-tier pitching talent. The Yankees will need to act quickly if they hope to strengthen their rotation before the season gets underway.
. I mean, you gotta be realistic about what he can bring to the table as a starter. The rotation is definitely a concern, but they've got some depth elsewhere on the team... and hey, Cabrera's move by the Cubs is a good sign for them! Maybe they'll be able to find that piece in free agency or through trades?
. They got that he's young and reasonable price-wise, but they just didn't think he had what it took to be a top starter? Like, his fastball is only in the mid-90s?! Not exactly lighting up the league 
. And from what I saw, his slider doesn't break nearly as much as other pitchers' do... I mean, I get it, height can be an issue for some guys, but you'd think they'd at least want to try him out 
. And if they don't address it soon, teams like the Cubs are just gonna swoop in and grab all the talent 
. I hope the Yanks figure something out, or else we might be seeing a pretty disappointing season from them 
.
, can't even compete for a decent starting pitcher? I mean, I get it, height and fastball velocity are important, but you'd think that would be a no-brainer... like they need me to tell them how to evaluate talent 
. And now they're gonna have to scramble to find some decent guys in free agency or trades... guess that's just the cost of not wanting to spend $$$ on the best player available 
.
... I mean, Tatsuya Imai is an incredibly talented pitcher and it's crazy that the Yanks didn't even bother reaching out to him. I was really hoping he'd end up in NY, he seems like a great guy too! 
. It's not looking good for their chances this year...
... I mean, Tatsuya Imai seems like a solid player, but apparently not good enough for the Yanks? His deal with Houston seems reasonable too 
. It's like, where's the money going to come from to fix their rotation? 
he seemed like a no-brainer given his age and price tag, but i guess you can never tell what teams are really looking for in their scouting reports 
like how about that cole injury? 
that's gotta be worrying for the front office right now 
... But 54 million for three years seems like a pretty reasonable deal if you ask me 
... They're showing that they're committed to building a strong team, while the Yankees are playing it safe 
. I mean, their reasoning for not wanting him as a starter is pretty solid - his height and fastball just aren't what you want in a ace 
. But, come on, $54 million is a steal if he's gonna be a mid-90s guy with a decent slider! 
️. And who knows, maybe they're more focused on finding a specific type of pitcher now 
. It's just gonna be an interesting season for baseball fans, especially in the East 
. The Astros seem like a solid team with Imai on board, and if the Yankees keep making moves, it could get pretty exciting 
. The thing is, who are they gonna get now? It's not like Imai was some crazy overpay or anything 
but hey at least the astros are looking strong now 