Tatsuya Imai is slipping through the Yankees’ fingers

This morning, my colleague Sébastien Berrouard talked about the Yankees' hibernation. Basically, the Bronx club doesn't really seem to want to spend as much as it can.

Why is that? Who knows. It seems the club doesn't want to compete with the Blue Jays or Dodgers.

As a result, the team, which has to deal with the fact that Trent Grisham has accepted his qualifying offer, seems to be backing off on the big issues. There's growing doubt that the club will be able to lure its targets to town.

It started with Cody Bellinger, and now Tatsuya Imai is the latest name in doubt in New York.

There is skepticism that the Yankees will sign Tatsuya Imai https://t.co/JXVaFZvKPH pic.twitter.com/cqr02rAgib

– SNY (@SNYtv) December 24, 2025

Based on what's currently circulating, it's hard to believe that the Yankees and the Japanese pitcher, who is expected to sign a deal in the nine figures, will end up signing together.

According to Jack Curry, who has access to the New York organization like no other, the connection between Imai and the Yankees is not exceptional at the moment.

The club isn't as aggressive as it was with Yoshinobu Yamamoto two years ago.

Imai has to sign by January 2, as his 45-day window (which is typical for a guy leaving Japan) will close by then. So we'll have an outcome soon…. but probably elsewhere in Major League Baseball than with the Yankees.

Remember that the Yankees play in a fierce division and that their best pitchers (Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon) will certainly not be at 100% at the start of the season.

They need reinforcements on the mound.

This content was created with the help of AI.