If the New York Yankees are serious about winning a World Series next year, especially after the Toronto Blue Jays made one of the biggest pitching deals in recent years for Dylan Cease, it’s evident that New York has to answer by landing an arm.
There are plenty of options for the Yankees this winter, but one of the more intriguing ones could be coming out of Japan. Tatsuya Imai is still young, has above-average stuff, and has even said he wants to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers.
That sounds like a player New York would love.
Jackson Roberts of Sports Illustrated projected that Imai would land in New York on a seven-year, $196 million deal.
“Imai is the youngest pitcher on this list and may well have the highest ceiling. He just hasn’t tested himself against major league competition yet, though all he’s said throughout his free agency makes it clear he’s embracing every challenge in front of him.
“While we’re not going to rule the Los Angeles Dodgers out based on Imai’s comments that he’d rather beat the defending World Series champions than join them… And although owner Hal Steinbrenner keeps talking about tightening the purse strings, ultimately, the New York Yankees still have it in them to beat out just about any foe for a free agent when they feel like doing so,” he wrote.
There are always questions about pitchers coming over from Japan, but when it comes to someone like Imai and what he’s done on the mound, his stuff should translate.
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