Yankees predicted to land $157 million NPB superstar ace due to Munetaka Murakami signing originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Yankees have yet to make any offseason moves, save for re-signing their outfielder, Trent Grisham. However, with NPB superstar Munetaka Murakami having finally signed with the Chicago White Sox, that opens up new possibilities for the Yanks with other NPB stars coming over.
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According to Fansided’s Mark Powell, if New York wanted him, they could be the favorites for NPB superstar ace Tatsuya Imai, the best pitcher who was posted this offseason.
“But, Cole and Rodon won’t be ready for the start of the regular season, and banking on injured pitchers is a rookie mistake. Brian Cashman’s kept his job for how long now? Imai is far from a sure thing, but he’s on the record saying how much he wants to beat the Dodgers, and should give the Yankees innings were they to sign him. Perhaps Murakami’s price tag, while not directly correlated to Imai’s, will get Cashman on the phone. Prediction: If the Yankees are interested, they land Imai,” Powell wrote.
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In eight NPB seasons, Tatsuya has a record of 58-45, an ERA of 3.15, 907 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.267 over 963 innings pitched. He would slot in well as a No. 2 pitcher for Max Fried as the other stars return from injury, and then would be perfect as a middle-to-end-of-the-rotation guy.
Imai’s also projected to earn a six-year, $157 million deal that includes his posting cost. For the Yanks, this could be a great deal for a 27-year-old talented pitcher.
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Hopefully, the Yanks get something started ASAP, as they only have till January 2nd, 2026, to sign him.
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