SF Giants viewed as an early potential suitor for star NPB pitcher

Could the SF Giants turn to star NPB pitcher Tatsuya Imai to bolster the rotation this offseason? According to Jon Morosi of The MLB Network, they are viewed as an early potential suitor for the 27-year-old hurler.

SF Giants viewed as an early potential suitor for star NPB pitcher

Earlier the month, the Saitama Seibu Lions announced that they would post Imai. This week, MLB approved the posting, beginning his 45-day window to negotiate with all 30 teams. His negotiating window expires on June 2, 2026.

Dylan Cease, Ranger Suárez, and Framber Valdez are viewed as some of the top starting pitchers in this year's class. Imai is often grouped in that category as well.

That could land Imai a contract of over $100 million. In addition to this, the team that agrees to sign him will owe the Lions a sizable posting fee. That fee varies based on the size of the contract, and there are a few layers to the calculation.

This year, Buster Posey and Zack Minasian went on a scouting trip overseas to scout several players. Presumably, this includes getting a first-hand look at Imai. In that same bit from Morosi, he adds that the Giants have already shown interest in Imai.

This seemingly would run counter to an interview from earlier this offseason where Greg Johnson expressed reluctance to sign a pitcher to a nine-figure deal. Reluctance does not mean outright avoidance, and if the right deal is available, it would behoove the Giants to keep their options open.

Imai is coming off of one of his best seasons in the NPB. He pitched to a 1.92 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 9.8 K/9, and a 3.96 SO/W rate across 163.2 frames for the Lions. It marked the third straight year in which he surpassed 20 starts and 150 innings.

On the mound, the right-handed hurler features a four-seam fastball that sits in the upper 90's. He adds a slider, changeup, splitter, and sinker. If you watched the playoffs this year, you probably saw an uptick in splitter usage taking place.

As currently constructed, the Giants have Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Landen Roupp to round out the front of the rotation. Hayden Birdsong, Trevor McDonald, and Blade Tidwell will be among the group competing for a spot in the back of the rotation.

Undoubtedly, the Giants will need more reinforcements for the rotation. Adding Imai would give them another reliable starter, and it may even pull them out of their comfort zone. With the success many pitchers have had recently coming overseas, that could be well worth the risk.