Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Imai’s posting deadline approaches:
NPB right-hander Tatsuya Imai is entering the final days of his posting window and figures to sign with an MLB club any day now. Imai, 27, is among the more intriguing starters on the market this offseason coming off back-to-back seasons for the Seibu Lions where he posted dominant numbers. The righty was connected to the Cubs, Mets, Phillies, and Yankees among other clubs in the early weeks of the offseason but the rumor mill has been relatively quiet in the aftermath of the Winter Meetings earlier this month. How his market has developed in the weeks since that early interest from teams is unclear, but it seems reasonable to expect more information on the bidding for Imai’s services to become available any day now with his posting window set to wrap up at 4pm CT on January 2.
2. Okamoto begins meeting with teams:
The posting deadline for NPB infielder Kazuma Okamoto isn’t coming up quite as soon as Imai’s, as Okamoto doesn’t have to sign until January 4. Even so, rumors regarding the infielder’s future have been far more common in recent weeks as he comes off an elite (albeit injury-shortened) campaign with the Yomiuri Giants in 2025. Okamoto has been tied to the Pirates frequently this offseason, though connections have also been drawn between the 29-year-old and teams like the Angels, Padres, Red Sox, and Blue Jays. The latest reporting on Okamoto indicates that he’s headed to the U.S. for in-person meetings with teams, and a deal figures to come together quickly from there with less than a week remaining in his posting window.
3. Orioles continue to bolster rotation:
The Orioles re-signed right-hander Zach Eflin to a one-year deal over the weekend, and yesterday reporting indicated that a return to the mound by Opening Day is on the table for the righty even after he underwent season-ending back surgery back in August. That’s notable news not only because it suggests Eflin’s recovery from that procedure is going well, but also because it leaves Baltimore with a potential Opening Day rotation of Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Eflin, and Dean Kremer with further depth behind those five arms. That’s a playable rotation that figures to be a significant upgrade over last year’s Opening Day quintet, but it lacks the sort of surefire front-of-the-rotation addition many expected from Baltimore this offseason. The addition of a more proven arm like Framber Valdez or Ranger Suarez from here could certainly still be in the cards, but at this point it’s at least feasible that Baltimore will walk away from the offseason with only modest rotation upgrades and first baseman Pete Alonso as their big addition.
Imai will sign but not for the length everyone thought. Same with Okamoto.
Where Imai at? Is he goin’ back to Japan? Hearing Padres, Phillies, Mutts, or my Cubs now in the lead. Where Ca$hman at?
Boras will have egg on his face & his reputation will take a hit if he can’t deliver the ridiculous ACE $$$ & years he’s asking
Steamer rates Imai as #2-#3 SP. No way Imai is the ACE for teams Boras says are interested in him
Imai has been quoted as saying he hasn’t received any concrete offers. That may an indication that Imai may end of signing a deal similar to Murakami or risk having to return to Japan for another year
Rw
“Boras will have egg on his face & his reputation will take a hit”
LOL
People are crazy
But “Beer is Good”
I think teams don’t want to pay big posting fees. Leading to shorter and or option heavy deals
At 5’11” tall and 154 lbs. I think Imai will likely struggle with a starter’s full season workload pitching every 5th day. Yes, teams can give him extra days off, but if teams think he may wind up in the bullpen or miss time, I’m guessing it will lower their offers.
Big “surely this scandal will sink Trump” energy.
People only care about the next deal, man.
He is elite. Go get him DD!
AAA elite, but maybe just not impressive enough for the MLB. Imai looks like a short term success story to me. Don’t think he will see a long term deal.
There’s actually a baseball team out there in Frisco? What they called again?
“Out there in Frisco”
Cap must be stuck in 1849 ?
We out here where the streets are paved in gold. Abner says we’re goin get us a team together soon.
@oldie-Yeah but you guys still aren’t getting Imai. Who says so? Me, that’s who said so! Imai would rather sign with the Friars then with Frisco. How do I know? Cause he told me so… lol
Don’t care, don’t want him.
Just the newest overhyped shiny object from overseas. He’ll get shelled here and physically won’t hold up to the schedule.
Come on AA.. Atlanta needs 1 more starter. We also need to tap into the Japanese market and that revenue stream. It is time and Imai is the guy.
I know it is unrealistic but if there was ever a time to go for it, now is it!
Okamoto signing with the Bucs would be unreal. The city of Pittsburgh would burn down in excitement and joy.
Really? He’s not that great and is 30. It’s also very unclear he can play 3B long term or can hit MLB velo. I’d rather they spend on an outfielder or two.
It’s feasible that Baltimore walks away from the off season with only modest rotation upgrades?
Sure it is…but reading the tea-leaves, listening to the FO, and most of all, reporting of them being connected to every single TOR FA in the market all off season, seems to strongly suggest otherwise.
So they’ll take Efflin over Framber or Suarez, and call it a day?? Any reports indicate that? Or is it more like “past off season actions suggest they will…” or what. What’s the basis of “walks away from the off-season” claim?
Just that on paper we have a 5-man rotation. Given inevitable injuries and Bradish and maybe Eflin (also Wells) being on innings-limits, I don’t think having a potential 5-man rotation already will stop them from signing a top SP.
It’s absurd. Elias has clearly learned the lesson from his own team and others that you need to roll 7-8 SP deep to make the playoffs, then have 2 elite SPs once you get there.
Two of Rogers, Bradish, and Baz could certainly become the latter. But there’s no way he doesn’t grab at least another #3/4 to eat injury innings. He definitely has the budget in prospects and dollars to get another elite arm, too.
Mets two years
I think that it is awesome that the international player’s window directly affects what decisions certain teams will make moving forward after the fact in terms of MLB free agency. It really feels like that we are entering a time of truly having the greatest players in the world all playing right here in the states right in front of our eyes. I love it. I do wish that the Cardinals were participating in the glory of it all, but I’ve accepted my fate being a lifelong fan of theirs. This train will not stop at our station. We will be getting an amazing product overall as fans of baseball. That’s the most important thing. I’m excited to see all of the great talent in the years ahead.
Don’t worry, faithful Yankee fans! Hal has authorized me to make an offer to Imai, and I think it’s pretty compelling. We’re teaming up with Subway to get him half-off footlongs for 3 years (cold cut subs only, not warm subs!), plus the league minimum. As a signing bonus I’m going to Target and buying out the whole wall of Magic The Gathering cards and will present them to him at the signing ceremony. We hope this stops you guys from calling the PR office and griping about how little we’re doing this offseason. Finally, stop calling Hal cheap. He doesn’t want me to tell you this but he got me a lovely Edible Arrangements bouquet as a Christmas bonus.
With love,
BC
Yes, Mr. Ca$hman please make an offer for Imai, yes you are pre-authorized to do so, you have Uncle Hal’s permission. (100%) 🙏🙏🙏 Love U, Mr. Judge!!!
Some uninformed people are sleeping on the Orioles, but they are now only 1 or 2 small moves away from being a top 3 MLB team. Don’t have to be remotely superstar signings at all. Stadium renovations look great, still the best stadium in MLB at the minimum if not all of professional sports. No other city deserves the All Star game and a World Series title more.
There’s actually a team out there, that plays in Baltimore???
Yes, you should know from when Rizzo took an elbow to the face from a 5’8 guy for showboating and for badly underperforming as a Yankee.
Dodgers cleared a roster spot – just sayin’…
Nah he doesn’t wanna play with that team. Imai said he wants to beat that team, instead of joining them. God bless him! 🙏🙏🙏
Offseason will be a failure for Os if they don’t sign or trade for a #1 or 2A starter. They can’t go into the season hoping for the best with the pitchers like last year. They could use an 8th inning guy too (backup closer in case Helsley is a bust).
I wonder why Suarez hasn’t signed yet. I’ve seen him plenty vs the Braves, and he’s pretty good. It looks like he doesn’t pitch many innings, but are there other red flags?