Where Yankees, Mets stood in Tatsuya Imai bidding
The Yankees and Mets both have some rotation questions to answer ahead of the 2026 season, but apparently they didn’t view Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai as part of a potential solution.
They were “not seriously involved” in the bidding war that ultimately ended with the Astros agreeing to terms with the right-hander on a three-year deal that could be worth up to $63 million, according to The Post’s Jon Heyman.
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The Cubs were in on the bidding, according to Heyman, before the Astros eventually emerged with a possible solution if Framber Valdez leaves in free agency.
Imai, 27 and a former Japan Pacific League pitcher, will make $18 million per season, with the potential for that number to climb to $21 million if he reaches 80, 90 and 100 innings.
He’ll also have opt-outs after each of the seasons, Heyman reported.
When healthy, the Yankees’ rotation has the potential to become a major strength, but Gerrit Cole is still recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Clarke Schmidt is, too, and might not be back until after the All-Star break, and Carlos Rodón will be sidelined to start 2026 after undergoing an elbow procedure to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur.
So behind Max Fried, the Yankees — whose offseason has been quiet so far, with the Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger decisions still looming — will need to rely on Luis Gil, Cam Schlittler and Will Warren to continue their emergence as young starters.
The Mets have a trio of young prospects in Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat who could continue to make cases for the 26-man roster if they’re not traded before spring training, but the rest of the returning starters — from Sean Manaea to Kodai Senga — will have to address concerns that emerged during a disappointing 2025.
Houston, though, found a way to add to its rotation after missing the playoffs in 2025.
Imai collected a 2.14 ERA over the last two seasons for the Seibu Lions.
“You have a 27-year-old pitcher who throws 98, 99,” agent Scott Boras said of Imai at the Winter Meetings. “Teams look at that and say, ‘Believe me, Imai wildest dreams I never expected someone to be available like that.”
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