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82birds wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 11:54 am 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 wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:21 pm

82birds wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 11:54 am 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.

CCard wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:21 pm

82birds wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 11:54 am 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 wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:27 pm

CCard wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:21 pm

82birds wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 11:54 am 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?

CCard wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:21 pm

82birds wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 11:54 am 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.

Melville wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:32 pm

CCard wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:21 pm

82birds wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 11:54 am 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.

BrockFloodMaris wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:30 pm

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:27 pm

CCard wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:21 pm

82birds wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 11:54 am 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.

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:27 pm

CCard wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:21 pm

82birds wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 11:54 am 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?

BleedingBleu wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 14:03 pm

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:27 pm

CCard wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:21 pm

82birds wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 11:54 am 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?

BrockFloodMaris wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:30 pm

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:27 pm

CCard wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:21 pm

82birds wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 11:54 am 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 wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:32 pm

CCard wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:21 pm

82birds wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 11:54 am 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 wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:27 pm

CCard wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:21 pm

82birds wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 11:54 am 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?

CCard wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 19:25 pm

Melville wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:32 pm

CCard wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:21 pm

82birds wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 11:54 am 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.

alw80 wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:52 pm

BrockFloodMaris wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:30 pm

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:27 pm

CCard wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 13:21 pm

82birds wrote: ↑01 Jan 2026 11:54 am 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.