ASTROS SIGN IMAI
- SSTN Admin
- Jan 1
- 1 min read
January 1, 2025
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As the Yankees sleep through the offseason, the Astros improved their team by signing Japanese star pitcher Tatsuya Imai.
MLBTR has the story: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/astros-to-sign-tatsuya-imai.html
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I am sure there will be Yankees fans saying things like:
"We didn't want him."
"We didn't need him."
"The Yankees will still get _____."
"The Yankees know what they're doing..."
On and on.
There will be lots of excuse making. What isn't happening is the Yankees doing anything to make the team better.
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At this point I do not even want them to sign Bellinger. I'd rather they just crash next season and embarrass themselves and finish 3rd behind Toronto and Boston. The organization deserves to be humiliated for soiling the Yankee legacy. Wonder what Aaron Judge is really feeling in his heart? If things stay as they are, I won't be watching next year. Rather play with my grandchildren.
Truthfully, I never felt the Yankees NEEDED Imai, but getting him would've opened up a whole lot of trade opportunities. The Japanese FA I always wanted, and he was always my overall #1 target was corner INF Kaz Okamoto. He is still out there! GO GET HIM! But I know they won't because they re-signed the incomparable Ahmed Rosario! BOOOOO!!!😳
No surprises other than it's the Astros .... but the Yankees were never going to sign him!
Very disappointing
That's bad. Contract is three years for $54 million, up to $63 million with incentives, that is, $18-$21 million/year. I have no idea why the Yankees couldn't match and beat that. Heck, I'd give him $21 million/year guaranteed.
This is the first big mistake the Yankees have made since giving Grisham the QO. Hey, offer to trade Grisham plus the money differential to Houston even up for Imai. I believe the Astros would give themselves a core injury from laughing.