With the MLB winter meetings about to begin, the Philadelphia Phillies could be in the market for one of the top pitchers available in free agency.
Though most of the Phillies’ offseason buzz has revolved around free agent slugger Kyle Schwarber, the team could end up needing a pitcher if Ranger Suárez walks in free agency. The former All-Star is predicted to leave Philadelphia this offseason, leaving a hole in the Phillies’ starting rotation.
There are many solid pitchers available in free agency, but one interesting player the Phillies have been linked to is Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai. ESPN’s Jeff Passan believes that Imai will end up landing with a big-market team on the East Coast, listing the Phillies as a reasonable landing spot.
“If Schwarber signs and unclogs the market, expect others to fall — either toward the end of the meetings or in the weeks leading up to Christmas,” Passan wrote Friday. “Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai could wind up with a big-market team on the East Coast, and the New York Yankees — with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon expected to miss the start of the season — New York Mets and Philadelphia are reasonable landing spots.”
The Saitama Seibu Lions posted Imai, a three-time NPB All-Star, in November. Imai has until January 2, 2026, to sign with a big league team. The 27-year-old hurler posted a 1.92 ERA with 178 strikeouts for the Lions in 2025 and is one of the top remaining pitchers available.
It will be interesting to see whether Philadelphia brings in the international star, who has made it clear he wants to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers rather than join them.
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