The Philadelphia Phillies may not be done adding to the 2026 roster. After making a few free agent signings and swinging a couple of trades, the door is still wide open for the Phillies to make a splash.
Japanese star Tatsuya Imai remains a free agent just days before his posting window closes. The right-handed starting pitcher has reportedly received interest throughout the process, but it’s unknown if he’ll land a deal with a major league club this offseason.
Phillies remain a potential suitor for Japanese star Tatsuya Imai
The Phillies are determined to break into the Japanese market. Despite showing significant interest in the past, the organization has failed to land a marquee player.
Imai’s unusual market this offseason may be the Phillies’ best chance at finally landing a notable Japanese player. Although teams have reportedly checked in on Imai, including the Phillies, the level of interest or offers remains uncertain.
“Apparently, there actually aren’t many concrete options on the table yet,” Imai said during a recent interview on TV Asahi’s “Udo Times” program regarding his negotiation process with MLB teams, according to a translated X post by @NekoSuke5_5_2. “And it seems that having teams show interest and receiving a formal offer are completely different things.”
It’s not just Imai; Japanese players who were posted this offseason have experienced an unexpectedly slow and underwhelming negotiation process.
Left-handed slugger Munetaka Murakami was the prized target this offseason and expected to land a massive contract before he settled on a two-year, $34 million contract with the Chicago White Sox one day before his posting window closed. Like Imai, Kazuma Okamoto also remains unsigned with just a few days left before his window closes.
The Phillies could swoop in and land a last-minute bargain deal with Imai, who was once expected to sign a long-term, lucrative contract. Not only would it finally get them into the Japanese market, but they’d also be getting a top-end starter to add to an already elite rotation.
Imai owns a career 3.15 ERA across eight Nippon Professional Baseball seasons. The 27-year-old enjoyed a career year in 2025, posting a 10-5 record with a 1.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts in 163 2/3 innings.
Imai has until 5:00 p.m. ET on Jan. 2 to sign with an MLB team before his posting window closes. He’ll return to his Japanese team, the Seibu Lions, for the 2026 season if a contract isn’t reached.