Seibu Lions expected to post SF Giants starting pitching target this winter

The SF Giants have a need for starting pitching and one more free-agent pitcher is expected to hit the open market. The Seibu Lions plan to post star pitcher Tatsuya Imai, per Brian Murphy of MLB.Com.

Seibu Lions expected to post SF Giants starting pitching target this winter

Once Imai's posting window opens, teams will have 45 days to negotiate with the right-handed hurler. In addition to the eventual contract terms, the team that wins the bidding will owe the Lions a posting fee.

That fee will vary depending on the size of the contract. Imai is viewed as one of the top starting pitchers on the market, so that fee will be a considerable sum. If he signs for more than $50 million, the signing team will pay 20 percent on the first $25 million, 17.5 percent on the next $25 million, followed by 15 percent on any amount after that.

When the Giants signed Jung Hoo Lee to a six-year, $113 million pact two offseasons ago, they paid the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO a posting fee. That fee came in just below $19 million.

Imai is coming off arguably his best season in the NPB. He pitched to a 1.92 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 9.8 K/9, and a 3.96 SO/W rate in 24 starts for the Lions. The strikeout rate was well above his 8.7 K/9 career mark, and one of the highest rates in a league that is often known for contact.

In nine seasons with the Lions, Imai has posted a 3.15 ERA. In each of the pst three seasons, he has made at least 20 starts while comfortably surpassing 100 innings.

The Giants have had a scouting presence overseas within the past year. In particular, Zack Minasian has been part of the scouting contingent, which could include watching Imai. In addition to the Giants' interest, the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets are viewed as potential suitors, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.Com.

The Giants could certainly use more help on the pitching side. Logan Webb and Robbie Ray are penciled in to carry the front of the rotation next season. Landen Roupp earned a chance to start next year in the starting rotation as well.

Outside of those three pitchers, the rest is up in the air. Hayden Birdsong had a disappointing 2025 campaign. Trevor McDonald looked good in his brief showing with San Francisco at the end of the year. Blade Tidwell put together a handful of solid appearances before finishing the year on the injured list.

Those pitchers will be among the group competing for a rotation spot next spring. However, it would behoove the Giants to fortify the front of the rotation before then.