Star Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai and the Houston Astros
Star Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a free agent contract, sources tell ESPN.
Star Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a free agent contract, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Thursday.
Sources confirmed to ESPN that Imai is getting a three-year contract that guarantees $54 million and could be worth up to $63 million. The contract terms, which were first reported by MLB Network, include opt-outs.
Imai, 27, entered the posting system as one of the more intriguing potential free agents of this winter due to his similarities to 2025 postseason standouts Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Trey Yesavage. Agent Scott Boras compared Imai to Yamamoto, the World Series MVP, during the MLB general managers meetings in November.
“Certainly, he’s done everything Yamamoto’s done,” Boras said.
Imai had a standout 2025 season for the Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, posting a 10-5 record with a 1.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts to 45 walks in 163⅔ innings. The right-hander has a powerful fastball and has played his entire career in Japan.
