Tatsuya Imai : Phillies Front-Runner ?

The Phillies are seriously interested in Japanese star pitcher, Tatsuya Imai.

Here's why.

Imai has publicly stated in interviews that he wants to take the Dodgers down instead of joining them. His preferred destination is a team in the East Coast with no Japanese pitchers on the team.

The Phillies check out all of those boxes.

With the winter meetings started, a lot of focus has been on the free agents that we know from the MLB.

But, a newspaper publication company posted a magazine of Imai with the Phillies logo on it.

The Phillies are the only team that has been publicly listed on a magazine next to Imai.

In addition, another Japanese publication company talked about Imai and the Phillies (Suponichi)

https://www.sponichi.co.jp/baseball/news/2025/12/09/articles/20251208s00001007382000c.html

Here's a translated version of the article in English.

"At the Winter Meetings (WM), where MLB team executives and agents gather, opening on the 7th (Japan time 8th) in Orlando, Florida, team officials began arriving one after another. According to MLB club executives, it has become clear that the Philadelphia Phillies are seriously pursuing Tatsuya Imai (27) of the Seibu Lions, who is being posted to move to the major leagues. With a shortage of right-handed starters, he fits perfectly with their needs. The Phillies also have high expectations for him as part of their effort to avenge this fall’s Division Series loss to the Dodgers.
The WM venue—where the offseason market truly begins to move—is the official Walt Disney World hotel, the Signia by Hilton. On the first day, as officials continued to arrive, one MLB executive revealed that the Phillies were going all-in on acquiring Imai, saying passionately: “We need a starting pitcher. Zack (Wheeler) might not be ready for Opening Day, and we want a right-handed, power-type starter like Imai.
With prestigious clubs such as the Yankees, Cubs, and even the Giants—who remain strongly rumored despite reports of withdrawing—listed as possible destinations, Imai aligns well with the Phillies' needs. According to MLB.com, the future of left-hander Ranger Suárez, now a free agent, remains unclear. Currently, the projected rotation for next season consists of four pitchers: left-handers Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo, and right-handers Aaron Nola and Wheeler. However, Wheeler underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in September, making his readiness for Opening Day uncertain, and Nola has shown a yearly decline in velocity, creating further concerns. Imai, who averaged a 95-mph (about 153 km/h) fastball in 2025 and features sharp breaking pitches, is seen as an ideal fit.
The Phillies, champions of the division for two consecutive years, were defeated 1–3 by the Dodgers in this fall’s Division Series. Imai has expressed his desire to challenge MLB hitters, saying he wants to “strike out hitters like that,” specifically expressing eagerness to face Shohei Ohtani. In a TV interview, he even said he wanted to “beat the Dodgers,” which became a hot topic in U.S. baseball circles. Aiming for their first World Series title since 2008, the Phillies see Imai as a key weapon in their quest to topple the Dodgers.
U.S. media have already projected his contract to be around eight years and $190 million (about ¥29.45 billion). Reports say that after the Winter Meetings, which end on the 11th (Japan time 12th), Imai will visit several carefully selected cities. The negotiation deadline is January 2 next year (January 3 Japan time). His agent, the renowned Scott Boras, said, “He prefers large-market teams. He wants to be with a powerhouse and play at a high level,” indicating that the Phillies could be at the center of a major bidding war. (By correspondent Daisuke Sugiura). A National League East team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the northeastern United States. Founded in 1883, they have won the World Series in 1980 and 2008. Japanese players such as Tadahito Iguchi, So Taguchi, and Akiyoshi Aoyagi have previously played for the club. Their home stadium is Citizens Bank Park (capacity: 43,500).
If Schwarber Leaves, Okamoto & Murakami Become “Key Candidates”.
The same executive also mentioned the possibility that the Phillies could join the bidding for Yakult’s Munetaka Murakami and the Giants’ Kazuma Okamoto, both of whom—like Imai—aim to move to MLB through the posting system. “If Schwarber (this season’s home run leader and now a free agent from the Phillies) leaves, those two become important replacement candidates,” he said.
Regarding Murakami, he commented: “The question is whether he becomes a nine-figure player (a total contract of over $100 million). He’s difficult to evaluate. I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a star, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he struggles.”
The sports outlet The Athletic reported that the Pirates have made Schwarber an offer of more than $100 million over four years, and his decision is drawing significant attention."

End of article.

Since Schwarber re-signed with the Phillies, that segment is ruled out. But, a reminder that the Phillies offered more than the Dodgers did for Yoshinobu Yamamoto (325 million dollars was the deal with LA). The fact the Phillies offered more than that says enough.