Tatsuya Imai Agrees to 3-Year Deal with Astros -

"Per multiple reports, Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai has agreed to a deal with the Astros. Jesse Rogers of ESPN reported that the deal is for three years with opt-outs after each of the first two seasons, and it will be the second-largest AAV for a Japanese pitcher in the posting process behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Chandler Rome of The Athletic tweeted that the deal maxes out at $63 million, making it only $21 million AAV."

"If Imai was serious about wanting to forge his own path sans elder statesmen, the Cubs might not have been in the running. Add in their reluctance to do immediate opt-outs and they were almost certainly on the periphery when figures were discussed. Now we'll see if they go after another free agent starter or turn to the trade market for rotation help."

Tatsuya Imai agreed to a three-year contract with the Houston Astros that includes opt-outs after each of the first two seasons and can reach $63 million, yielding a $21 million AAV. The deal ranks as the second-largest AAV for a Japanese pitcher in the posting process behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The opt-outs reflect standard Scott Boras bargaining strategy. Imai reportedly preferred a team without established Japanese stars and wanted a path that avoided joining the Dodgers, and Houston likely offered a development plan for his transition from NPB to MLB. The Cubs were likely sidelined and may pursue other starters, trades, or target Alex Bregman depending on Kazuma Okamoto's decision.

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