“MLB Bidding War Heats Up for Japanese Ace Shota Imanaga, with $100M-Plus Contract on the Horizon”
Major League Baseball teams are not finished with significant investments in Japanese players this offseason. Shota Imanaga, recently posted by the Yokohama BayStars, is drawing attention from MLB teams, and ESPN’s Jeff Passan suggests that he is poised to secure a contract exceeding $100 million. Imanaga, a 30-year-old left-handed pitcher, showcased his prowess in the…
Major League Baseball teams are not finished with significant investments in Japanese players this offseason. Shota Imanaga, recently posted by the Yokohama BayStars, is drawing attention from MLB teams, and ESPN’s Jeff Passan suggests that he is poised to secure a contract exceeding $100 million.
Imanaga, a 30-year-old left-handed pitcher, showcased his prowess in the Japanese Central League last season, boasting a 7-4 record with a stellar 2.80 ERA over 148 innings. His impressive control was evident, with only 24 walks and an impressive 174 strikeouts. Throughout his Nippon Professional Baseball career, Imanaga has accumulated a notable record of 64 wins and 50 losses, maintaining a solid 3.18 ERA.
According to insights from the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants are expected to be active participants in the bidding war for Imanaga. However, Heyman notes that the New York Yankees are less enthusiastic about pursuing Imanaga, deeming him a fly ball pitcher potentially ill-suited for their home stadium.
In addition to the anticipated lucrative contract, the team that successfully signs Imanaga will also be required to pay a posting fee to Yokohama, securing the rights to the talented pitcher. This posting fee is expected to surpass the $75 million paid by the New York Mets for Kodai Senga’s services last year. As the bidding unfolds, Imanaga’s imminent move to MLB promises to be a significant storyline in the ongoing offseason transactions.