SF Giants will almost certainly be connected to Tatsuya Imai again next offseason

The SF Giants were connected to Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai this offseason, but it seems the Giants were never really all that involved in the pitcher's market as he signed with the Houston Astros on a relatively modest deal.

However, the Giants seem very likely to be connected to Imai again next offseason because his three-year deal includes player opt-outs after each of the first two seasons.

SF Giants could potentially be players for Tatsuya Imai next offseason

That means Imai could be back on the market next offseason looking for the long-term deal he sought this offseason but was unable to get.

It was a bit of a surprise to see Imai only get a three-year deal when many expected him to earn a long-term deal north of nine-figures. Yet, it seems many teams were wary of giving him a contract like that given he has never pitched in the big leagues before.

Now, Imai has a chance to have a great season and opt out to put himself back on the market so teams will be more willing to throw that sort of money at him.

Clearly, the Giants were not interested in handing out a nine-figure contract to a pitcher this offseason. Greg Johnson was clear about that and the Giants went about as modest as possible, signing Adrian Houser and Tyler Mahle.

That reluctance to hand out a big contract is why it was frustrating once Imai's contract details emerged because the Giants definitely could have made the deal he signed with the Astros.

While Houser and Mahle are not bad pitchers, Imai seemingly has a higher ceiling that both of them and the Giants need a higher ceiling if they want to compete with the teams ahead of them in the National League West.

The irony is that if Imai pitches well enough to be able to opt out of his contract, he will likely price himself out of what the Giants are willing to commit to a pitcher even though the same national reporters will probably connect the Giants to him again.

That's not even to mention the looming lockout that could be coming next offseason, but that is a whole other can of worms.

The main point is that the Giants might be in the same position next offseason when they will be in need of pitching and Imai could be one of the top names on the market.