It’s a new year, but the Los Angeles Dodgers have the same rivals.
The Houston Astros signed top Japanese free agent Tatsuya Imai to a three-year deal. Imai has been vocal about wanting to take down the Dodgers dynasty.
Not long after the Dodgers were crowned World Series champions, Imai was posted by his NPB team. On the show “Hodo Station,” Imai revealed he was prepared to join an MLB team that could take LA down.
“Of course, I’d enjoy playing alongside Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Sasaki,” Imai told the former Major League pitcher and two-time World Baseball Classic champion, “but winning against a team like that and becoming a world champion would be the most valuable thing in my life. If anything, I’d rather take them down.”
He then doubled down, stating: “With the number of pitchers they already have, they don’t need me,” Imai said.
Now, Imai will be joining the Astros: a team which the Dodgers have their fair share of bad blood with. The terms of the right-handed pitcher’s contract have not been announced, but it’s expected to be the largest annual average value for a Japanese pitcher outside of Dodgers star Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers revealed Houston’s big investment in Imai.
Tatsuya Imai’s deal with Houston is for 3 years with opt outs every year, sources tell ESPN. When terms are announced, it’ll be the largest AAV for a Japanese pitcher coming over outside of Yamamoto.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) January 1, 2026
This story will be updated…
Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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