As Japanese star Tatsuya Imai's posting window came to a close last week, there was hope among Philadelphia Phillies fans that there might be a New Year's surprise in store for them. Alas, the right-hander signed a three-year, $54 million deal with the Houston Astros, leaving the Phillies empty-handed in their quest to sign their first direct-from-NPB star.
The Astros introduced their newest offseason acquisition on Monday in Houston, and one innocent decision by Imai just rubbed salt in the still fresh wound with his new jersey number. After sporting No. 48 with the Saitama Seibu Lions and Team Japan, he's changing things up in his foray into MLB.
Astros' Tatsuya Imai chooses jersey number thanks to Phillies' ace Zack Wheeler
With Astros reliever Steven Okert currently the owner of No. 48, Imai chose to wear No. 45. According to The Athletic's Chandler Rome, Imai picked 45 because he looks up to the New York Yankees' Gerrit Cole and the Phillies' Zack Wheeler, who both wear 45.
We don't even know if the Phillies made an offer to Imai, who's represented by super agent Scott Boras. Still, seeing a player who we thought the front office might actually be able to sign tell us how much he respects Wheeler but not enough to make him come to Philadelphia stings just a little.
Tatsuya Imai said he chose No. 45, in part, because Gerrit Cole and Zack Wheeler are pitchers he looks up to and both of them wear 45.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) January 5, 2026
Earlier in the offseason, back in mid-December, internet sleuths were even making Phillies-Wheeler-Imai connections based on Imai following Wheeler on Instagram. Not that that really meant anything.
At just $18 million per season with a chance to escalate up to $21 million, and with player opt-outs each year, it feels like a deal every other contending team should have been able to match or beat. Despite being one of the highest-spending clubs, the Phillies are once again hamstrung by payroll restrictions this offseason.
Imai has a career 3.15 ERA in eight NPB seasons. His 2025 was spectacular, going 10-5 in 24 starts with a 1.92 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP, and 178 strikeouts across 163 2/3 innings. At 27, he has been a three-time NPB All-Star for the Lions.
It may never have been realistic to even hope, but Imai would have helped solve some lingering question marks about the Phillies' starting rotation entering 2026.
Wheeler's return date from thoracic outlet decompression surgery is still unknown. It's also unknown how top prospect Andrew Painter will fare as he attempts to win a rotation spot in spring training. The Phillies might just end up relying on veteran Taijuan Walker a lot early in the season, as he enters his final years in Philadelphia.
Now he'll wear No. 45 in Houston as a nod to Wheeler, and that's about as close as the Phillies will get. At least until next offseason, maybe?