Imai to the Astros

[82birds]

Astros To Sign Tatsuya Imai
By AJ Eustace | January 1, 2026 at 11:10am CDT

The Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a three-year, $54MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that Imai can earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings. The deal contains opt-outs after every year, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Imai was one of the top starters available in free agency and coming off a career-best 1.92 ERA season with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It was reported several days ago that he was meeting with teams in-person in advance of his January 2 signing deadline. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were among the clubs interested in signing him, so the Astros are a bit of a surprise destination.


glad the Cubs didn't sign him.

[CCard]

Astros To Sign Tatsuya Imai
By AJ Eustace | January 1, 2026 at 11:10am CDT

The Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a three-year, $54MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that Imai can earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings. The deal contains opt-outs after every year, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Imai was one of the top starters available in free agency and coming off a career-best 1.92 ERA season with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It was reported several days ago that he was meeting with teams in-person in advance of his January 2 signing deadline. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were among the clubs interested in signing him, so the Astros are a bit of a surprise destination.


glad the Cubs didn't sign him.

Again, the Cards standing with their hands in the pockets whistling show tunes.

[Cardinals1964]

Astros To Sign Tatsuya Imai
By AJ Eustace | January 1, 2026 at 11:10am CDT

The Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a three-year, $54MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that Imai can earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings. The deal contains opt-outs after every year, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Imai was one of the top starters available in free agency and coming off a career-best 1.92 ERA season with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It was reported several days ago that he was meeting with teams in-person in advance of his January 2 signing deadline. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were among the clubs interested in signing him, so the Astros are a bit of a surprise destination.


glad the Cubs didn't sign him.

Again, the Cards standing with their hands in the pockets whistling show tunes.

Why would anyone want to sign with the Cardinals right now unless they are a rehab project or washed up?
Who would you sign with if you were in their place?

[82birds]

Astros To Sign Tatsuya Imai
By AJ Eustace | January 1, 2026 at 11:10am CDT

The Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a three-year, $54MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that Imai can earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings. The deal contains opt-outs after every year, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Imai was one of the top starters available in free agency and coming off a career-best 1.92 ERA season with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It was reported several days ago that he was meeting with teams in-person in advance of his January 2 signing deadline. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were among the clubs interested in signing him, so the Astros are a bit of a surprise destination.


glad the Cubs didn't sign him.

Again, the Cards standing with their hands in the pockets whistling show tunes.

they spent to really beef up their bullpen.

[BrockFloodMaris]

Astros To Sign Tatsuya Imai
By AJ Eustace | January 1, 2026 at 11:10am CDT

The Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a three-year, $54MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that Imai can earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings. The deal contains opt-outs after every year, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Imai was one of the top starters available in free agency and coming off a career-best 1.92 ERA season with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It was reported several days ago that he was meeting with teams in-person in advance of his January 2 signing deadline. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were among the clubs interested in signing him, so the Astros are a bit of a surprise destination.


glad the Cubs didn't sign him.

Again, the Cards standing with their hands in the pockets whistling show tunes.

Why would anyone want to sign with the Cardinals right now unless they are a rehab project or washed up?
Who would you sign with if you were in their place?

I’m continuously amused by the posters around cards talk that refuse to acknowledge the rebuild that is underway within this organization. The only people that are standing around with their hands in their pocket, whistling show tunes are the folks that have their head in the sand and refuse to admit what’s going on. Much has been written and recorded around the strategy that this organization is in the midst of.

[Melville]

Astros To Sign Tatsuya Imai
By AJ Eustace | January 1, 2026 at 11:10am CDT

The Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a three-year, $54MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that Imai can earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings. The deal contains opt-outs after every year, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Imai was one of the top starters available in free agency and coming off a career-best 1.92 ERA season with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It was reported several days ago that he was meeting with teams in-person in advance of his January 2 signing deadline. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were among the clubs interested in signing him, so the Astros are a bit of a surprise destination.


glad the Cubs didn't sign him.

Again, the Cards standing with their hands in the pockets whistling show tunes.

Imai has an opt out after each season.
That is NOT the type of 3 year deal STL should be signing with any pitcher right now.
The Cardinals need more certainty and stability than that.
Not every player who signs with another team is a lost opportunity.

[Cardinals1964]

Astros To Sign Tatsuya Imai
By AJ Eustace | January 1, 2026 at 11:10am CDT

The Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a three-year, $54MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that Imai can earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings. The deal contains opt-outs after every year, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Imai was one of the top starters available in free agency and coming off a career-best 1.92 ERA season with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It was reported several days ago that he was meeting with teams in-person in advance of his January 2 signing deadline. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were among the clubs interested in signing him, so the Astros are a bit of a surprise destination.


glad the Cubs didn't sign him.

Again, the Cards standing with their hands in the pockets whistling show tunes.

Imai has an opt out after each season.
That is NOT the type of 3 year deal STL should be signing with any pitcher right now.
The Cardinals need more certainty and stability than that.
Not every player who signs with another team is a lost opportunity.

100%

[alw80]

Astros To Sign Tatsuya Imai
By AJ Eustace | January 1, 2026 at 11:10am CDT

The Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a three-year, $54MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that Imai can earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings. The deal contains opt-outs after every year, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Imai was one of the top starters available in free agency and coming off a career-best 1.92 ERA season with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It was reported several days ago that he was meeting with teams in-person in advance of his January 2 signing deadline. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were among the clubs interested in signing him, so the Astros are a bit of a surprise destination.


glad the Cubs didn't sign him.

Again, the Cards standing with their hands in the pockets whistling show tunes.

Why would anyone want to sign with the Cardinals right now unless they are a rehab project or washed up?
Who would you sign with if you were in their place?

I’m continuously amused by the posters around cards talk that refuse to acknowledge the rebuild that is underway within this organization. The only people that are standing around with their hands in their pocket, whistling show tunes are the folks that have their head in the sand and refuse to admit what’s going on. Much has been written and recorded around the strategy that this organization is in the midst of.

They are entitled babies.

[BleedingBleu]

Astros To Sign Tatsuya Imai
By AJ Eustace | January 1, 2026 at 11:10am CDT

The Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a three-year, $54MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that Imai can earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings. The deal contains opt-outs after every year, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Imai was one of the top starters available in free agency and coming off a career-best 1.92 ERA season with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It was reported several days ago that he was meeting with teams in-person in advance of his January 2 signing deadline. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were among the clubs interested in signing him, so the Astros are a bit of a surprise destination.


glad the Cubs didn't sign him.

Again, the Cards standing with their hands in the pockets whistling show tunes.

Why would anyone want to sign with the Cardinals right now unless they are a rehab project or washed up?
Who would you sign with if you were in their place?

Money?

[Cardinals1964]

Astros To Sign Tatsuya Imai
By AJ Eustace | January 1, 2026 at 11:10am CDT

The Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a three-year, $54MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that Imai can earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings. The deal contains opt-outs after every year, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Imai was one of the top starters available in free agency and coming off a career-best 1.92 ERA season with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It was reported several days ago that he was meeting with teams in-person in advance of his January 2 signing deadline. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were among the clubs interested in signing him, so the Astros are a bit of a surprise destination.


glad the Cubs didn't sign him.

Again, the Cards standing with their hands in the pockets whistling show tunes.

Why would anyone want to sign with the Cardinals right now unless they are a rehab project or washed up?
Who would you sign with if you were in their place?

Money?

Wrong.

[scoutyjones2]

Astros To Sign Tatsuya Imai
By AJ Eustace | January 1, 2026 at 11:10am CDT

The Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a three-year, $54MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that Imai can earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings. The deal contains opt-outs after every year, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Imai was one of the top starters available in free agency and coming off a career-best 1.92 ERA season with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It was reported several days ago that he was meeting with teams in-person in advance of his January 2 signing deadline. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were among the clubs interested in signing him, so the Astros are a bit of a surprise destination.


glad the Cubs didn't sign him.

Again, the Cards standing with their hands in the pockets whistling show tunes.

Why would anyone want to sign with the Cardinals right now unless they are a rehab project or washed up?
Who would you sign with if you were in their place?

I’m continuously amused by the posters around cards talk that refuse to acknowledge the rebuild that is underway within this organization. The only people that are standing around with their hands in their pocket, whistling show tunes are the folks that have their head in the sand and refuse to admit what’s going on. Much has been written and recorded around the strategy that this organization is in the midst of.

Didn't Bloom come out and say it's not a rebuild?

[CCard]

Astros To Sign Tatsuya Imai
By AJ Eustace | January 1, 2026 at 11:10am CDT

The Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a three-year, $54MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that Imai can earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings. The deal contains opt-outs after every year, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Imai was one of the top starters available in free agency and coming off a career-best 1.92 ERA season with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It was reported several days ago that he was meeting with teams in-person in advance of his January 2 signing deadline. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were among the clubs interested in signing him, so the Astros are a bit of a surprise destination.


glad the Cubs didn't sign him.

Again, the Cards standing with their hands in the pockets whistling show tunes.

Imai has an opt out after each season.
That is NOT the type of 3 year deal STL should be signing with any pitcher right now.
The Cardinals need more certainty and stability than that.
Not every player who signs with another team is a lost opportunity.

Quality is quality. They should be signing quality players. The fact that they have open pitching spots and weren't even mentioned in connection speaks volumes. He appears to be a quality option and once he got here maybe he'd love it. We will never know though.

[CCard]

Astros To Sign Tatsuya Imai
By AJ Eustace | January 1, 2026 at 11:10am CDT

The Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a three-year, $54MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that Imai can earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings. The deal contains opt-outs after every year, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Imai was one of the top starters available in free agency and coming off a career-best 1.92 ERA season with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It was reported several days ago that he was meeting with teams in-person in advance of his January 2 signing deadline. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were among the clubs interested in signing him, so the Astros are a bit of a surprise destination.


glad the Cubs didn't sign him.

Again, the Cards standing with their hands in the pockets whistling show tunes.

Why would anyone want to sign with the Cardinals right now unless they are a rehab project or washed up?
Who would you sign with if you were in their place?

Whomever offered the best contract.

[cardstatman]

Astros guarantee $54M to Imai (if he chooses to stay) even though he's never played MLB baseball.

Imai commits only one year to Astros.

I can see why he took the deal. He's good at math.

MLB owners: Science makes me numb.
MLB owners: Math makes me number.

[Melville]

Astros To Sign Tatsuya Imai
By AJ Eustace | January 1, 2026 at 11:10am CDT

The Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a three-year, $54MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that Imai can earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings. The deal contains opt-outs after every year, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Imai was one of the top starters available in free agency and coming off a career-best 1.92 ERA season with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It was reported several days ago that he was meeting with teams in-person in advance of his January 2 signing deadline. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were among the clubs interested in signing him, so the Astros are a bit of a surprise destination.


glad the Cubs didn't sign him.

Again, the Cards standing with their hands in the pockets whistling show tunes.

Imai has an opt out after each season.
That is NOT the type of 3 year deal STL should be signing with any pitcher right now.
The Cardinals need more certainty and stability than that.
Not every player who signs with another team is a lost opportunity.

Quality is quality. They should be signing quality players. The fact that they have open pitching spots and weren't even mentioned in connection speaks volumes. He appears to be a quality option and once he got here maybe he'd love it. We will never know though.

May is on a one-year deal.
Imai has an opt out each year.
The last thing STL needs is to have 40% of a starting rotation walk away at the end of next season.
Not every player is a fit.

[Cusecards]

Astros To Sign Tatsuya Imai
By AJ Eustace | January 1, 2026 at 11:10am CDT

The Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a three-year, $54MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman adds that Imai can earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings. The deal contains opt-outs after every year, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

Imai was one of the top starters available in free agency and coming off a career-best 1.92 ERA season with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It was reported several days ago that he was meeting with teams in-person in advance of his January 2 signing deadline. The Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles were among the clubs interested in signing him, so the Astros are a bit of a surprise destination.


glad the Cubs didn't sign him.

Again, the Cards standing with their hands in the pockets whistling show tunes.

Why would anyone want to sign with the Cardinals right now unless they are a rehab project or washed up?
Who would you sign with if you were in their place?

I’m continuously amused by the posters around cards talk that refuse to acknowledge the rebuild that is underway within this organization. The only people that are standing around with their hands in their pocket, whistling show tunes are the folks that have their head in the sand and refuse to admit what’s going on. Much has been written and recorded around the strategy that this organization is in the midst of.

They are entitled babies.

Actually saying their heads are in the sand is being tactful.
I think their heads are situated someplace more personal.