If you thought MLB teams were done spending big money on Japanese players this offseason, think again.
Shota Imanaga has been posted by the Yokohama BayStars and is receiving interest from MLB teams. ESPN’s Jeff Passan says Imanaga is expected to receive a deal for more than $100 million.
Shota Imanaga is expected to land a deal north of $100M in free agency, per @JeffPassan pic.twitter.com/tLGv3lS8vO
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) January 3, 2024
Imanaga is a 30-year-old pitcher. The southpaw went 7-4 with a 2.80 ERA in 148 innings pitching in Japan’s Central League last season. He walked just 24 batters and struck out 174.
In his Nippon Professional Baseball career, Imanaga has gone 64-50 with a 3.18 ERA.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported in a video post that he expects the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants to be involved in the bidding for the 30-year-old.
Heyman said the New York Yankees “don’t really love Imanaga” because they view him as a fly ball pitcher who would be a bad fit at their home stadium
Which teams are showing interest in Shota Imanaga? 🤔
(w/ @JonHeyman) pic.twitter.com/jQJ4mSh4Y8
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) January 3, 2024
The team that signs Imanaga will also have to pay a posting fee to Yokohama for the right to sign the pitcher, who now appears likely to receive more than the $75 million Kodai Senga received from the New York Mets last year.
