Blue Jays' free agent pitching target Tatsuya Imai signs with Houston Astros

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Japanese phenom has reached a deal with the Houston Astros. The contract is said to be for three years and worth $54MM.

Imai can also earn up to $3MM per year in incentives if he reaches 100 innings.

Imai, who had been posted by the Saitama Seibu Lions early last month, was set to see his international signing window close on January 2nd.

Now, he is set to make his major league debut at the age of 29.

Several teams were said to be in on Imai a group that also reportedly included the Toronto Blue Jays, although it is unknown if the two sides had any formal talks.

Although he has yet to appear in a big league game, MLB Trade Rumours had him listed at number seven in their annual Top 50 Free Agents List. It makes sense too as last year, he posted a career best 1.92 ERA, which capped a dominant four-year run from 2022-2025.

That he chose Houston is a bit of a surprise. The Astros weren't previously known to have been interested and weren't included on any list of clubs that were vying for his services.

With Imai now signed, and with Munetaka Murakami having previously reached a deal with the Kona Takahashi' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Chicago White Sox, two of the four Japanese stars that were posted now have a home.

Infielder Kazuma Okamoto is still on the market, and has until January 5th to find an MLB Team. Pitcher Kona Takahashi is also still available.