US EditionRight-Hander Tatsuya Imai and Houston Astros Agree to $54 Million, 3-Year Contract, AP Source Says
Imai signed a three-year deal worth at least $60 million with opt-outs, becoming the second-highest paid Japanese pitcher after Yoshinobu Yamamoto, agent Scott Boras said.
- On Thursday, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Tatsuya Imai agreed to a contract with the Houston Astros specifying a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $16 million this year and $18 million in the next two seasons.
- After a dominant 2025 season, Tatsuya Imai posted a 10-5 record with a 1.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts while scouts noted his 93-97 mph fastball and unusual arm-side slider.
- Under Major League Baseball posting rules, fees tier from 20% for the first $25 million to 15% above $50 million, and the deal includes opt-outs plus $3 million in performance bonuses this year.
- Imai's average annual value places him among top Japanese entries into MLB, ranking third behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Masahiro Tanaka, while the Astros avoid draft-pick compensation.
- Over his NPB career, Imai is 58-45 with a 3.15 ERA and 907 strikeouts in eight seasons with Seibu Lions, pitching eight innings of a combined no-hitter on April 18.
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Marin Independent Journal
Japanese pitcher Imai, once linked to SF Giants, agrees to 3-year deal with Astros: AP source
By RONALD BLUM Right-hander Tatsuya Imai and the Houston Astros have agreed to a $54 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced. Imai gets a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $16 million this year and $18 million in each of the final two seasons. He can earn an additional $3 mi…
Associated Press News
Right-hander Tatsuya Imai and Houston Astros agree to $54 million, 3-year contract, AP source says
A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that right-hander Tatsuya Imai and the Houston Astros have agreed to a $54 million, three-year contract.
Cubs Miss Out as Hyped Japanese Ace Comes Off Board After Weeks of Buzz
The Chicago Cubs won’t be getting their offseason pitching “splash” in Japan.Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai has agreed to a three-year deal with the Houston Astros that includes opt-outs after each season, according to MLB.com and ESPN reporting on Thursday, January 1, 2026.Chicago was one of the clubs tied to Imai throughout the posting window, making the Astros’ agreement a clear “player off the board” moment for a Cubs team that still has…
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