"Imai settled for an $18MM average annual value that landed below most projections. Houston got a short-term deal at a reasonable salary by offering opt-out chances after each of the first two seasons. RosterResource projects their Opening Day payroll around $242MM. They're at an estimated $238MM in luxury tax commitments. The Astros also need to pay a $9.975MM release fee to Imai's NPB club, the Seibu Lions. That does not count against their luxury tax ledger, though it's a not insignificant sum for what could amount to one year of Imai's services if he opts out."
"The Astros opened the 2025 season with a $220MM payroll. Their season-ending luxury tax number landed just shy of $246MM, subjecting them to a modest ($1.5MM) bill for exceeding the $241MM base threshold. Next season's cutoff is $244MM. They're already projected within $6MM of that number. A team's luxury tax payroll is not finalized until the end of the year, meaning in-season acquisitions count on a prorated basis towards that sum."
Tatsuya Imai agreed to a three-year, $54 million contract with opt-outs after each of the first two seasons and an $18 million average annual value. Houston's Opening Day payroll is projected around $242 million while roughly $238 million already counts toward luxury-tax commitments. The team must pay a $9.975 million release fee to the Seibu Lions that does not count toward luxury-tax calculations but increases short-term cash outlay. The Astros finished the 2025 season near the luxury-tax line and face a $244 million threshold next season, leaving limited room for additional payroll moves. In-season acquisitions and promoted minor-league contracts will be prorated into the final luxury-tax total.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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