PHILADELPHIA -- As the final days of Tatsuya Imai’s posting window approach, the Phillies have emerged as one of several major-league clubs monitoring the Japanese right-hander, according to league sources familiar with the situation.
Imai, 27, was formally posted by the Saitama Seibu Lions in mid-November, giving MLB teams a 45-day window to negotiate a contract before his rights revert back to Japan. That window is set to close Jan. 2, creating a narrow and increasingly urgent timeline for interested clubs.
The Phillies are among a small group of teams that have maintained contact with Imai and his representatives during the process, joining the Cubs and Yankees in what has been a quieter-than-expected market for one of Nippon Professional Baseball’s most accomplished pitchers.
Imai is coming off one of the most dominant seasons by any starter in Japan. In 2025, he went 10–5 with a 1.92 ERA across 24 starts, striking out 178 batters while walking 45 in 163⅔ innings. He led NPB in strikeouts and consistently worked deep into games, reinforcing a reputation built on power, durability, and competitiveness.
Despite that résumé, the market has moved slowly.
As of late December, Imai acknowledged publicly that he had yet to receive a formal major-league offer, a notable development given how close the posting deadline has become. Teams have continued to weigh the risk associated with translating NPB performance to the majors, along with workload history and the financial considerations tied to the posting system.
For the Phillies, the interest appears rooted in roster math rather than urgency.
The club enters the offseason with Cristopher Sanchez, Aaron Nola and Jesús Luzardo under contract, while Zack Wheeler continues his recovery from thoracic outlet surgery. Top prospect Andrew Painter remains central to the organization’s long-term plans but has yet to log a full major-league season.
That context has led the Phillies to explore multiple avenues for rotation depth, including international options that could provide upside without requiring a long-term commitment. Imai fits that profile, an established starter with experience carrying a significant workload, but one whose contract demands would likely fall below those of the top domestic free-agent arms.
The posting system adds another layer of complexity. Any team signing Imai would owe a posting fee to his NPB club in addition to the guaranteed contract value, a structure that can complicate negotiations and encourage caution as the deadline approaches.
League evaluators view Imai as capable of contributing immediately, particularly in the middle or back end of a rotation. His strikeout rates, command profile, and track record of durability have translated favorably in internal projections, and scouts who have followed him closely point to his aggressive approach and ability to pitch in high-leverage situations.
From the Phillies’ perspective, adding Imai would represent a calculated move rather than a transformational one — an effort to stabilize rotation depth while preserving flexibility as the club navigates both short-term health questions and longer-term roster decisions. It also would mark the first major signing of a Japanese player in franchise history, a step that could broaden the organization’s international footprint and potentially open the door to future signings from the Japanese market. Whether that interest ultimately turns into an offer remains uncertain. With only days remaining before the posting window closes, teams will need to decide quickly whether to act or allow Imai to return to Japan for another season.
For now, the Phillies remain part of the conversation. A resolution, one way or another, is expected soon.
For the Phillies, the interest appears rooted in roster math rather than urgency.
The club enters the offseason with Cristopher Sanchez, Aaron Nola and Jesús Luzardo under contract, while Zack Wheeler continues his recovery from thoracic outlet surgery. Top prospect Andrew Painter remains central to the organization’s long-term plans but has yet to log a full major-league season.
That context has led the Phillies to explore multiple avenues for rotation depth, including international options that could provide upside without requiring a long-term commitment. Imai fits that profile, an established starter with experience carrying a significant workload, but one whose contract demands would likely fall below those of the top domestic free-agent arms.
The posting system adds another layer of complexity. Any team signing Imai would owe a posting fee to his NPB club in addition to the guaranteed contract value, a structure that can complicate negotiations and encourage caution as the deadline approaches.
League evaluators view Imai as capable of contributing immediately, particularly in the middle or back end of a rotation. His strikeout rates, command profile, and track record of durability have translated favorably in internal projections, and scouts who have followed him closely point to his aggressive approach and ability to pitch in high-leverage situations.
From the Phillies’ perspective, adding Imai would represent a calculated move rather than a transformational one — an effort to stabilize rotation depth while preserving flexibility as the club navigates both short-term health questions and longer-term roster decisions. It also would mark the first major signing of a Japanese player in franchise history, a step that could broaden the organization’s international footprint and potentially open the door to future signings from the Japanese market. Whether that interest ultimately turns into an offer remains uncertain. With only days remaining before the posting window closes, teams will need to decide quickly whether to act or allow Imai to return to Japan for another season.
For now, the Phillies remain part of the conversation. A resolution, one way or another, is expected soon.
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