The Opener: Imai, A's, Giants

"The posting window for NPB right-hander Tatsuya Imai is set to close tomorrow at 4pm CT. With just over 30 hours to go before the deadline for Imai to sign a contract, the rumor mill has remained fairly quiet regarding Imai's market. While early connections were drawn between the right-hander and the Mets, Yankees, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles, it's been nearly a month since many of those rumors began percolating with minimal updates from there."

"While early connections were drawn between the right-hander and the Mets, Yankees, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles, it's been nearly a month since many of those rumors began percolating with minimal updates from there. Imai reportedly began in-person meetings with teams earlier this week, and while no new rumors have percolated as a result of those meetings, the right-hander figures to be in the final stages of his decision-making process at this point."

"Soderstrom, 24, was a first-round pick by the A's back in 2020 and is coming off a breakout season where he slashed .276/.346/.474 with 60 extra-base hits (including 25 homers) in 158 games while primarily playing left field for the club. Soderstrom joins Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker among the players who have already extended with the A's long-term, but reporting has indicated that they're not done yet."

The posting window for NPB right-hander Tatsuya Imai closes tomorrow at 4pm CT. With just over 30 hours remaining, there has been little public movement on Imai's market despite earlier connections to the Mets, Yankees, Cubs, Phillies, and Orioles. Imai reportedly began in-person meetings with teams, suggesting he is in final stages of decision-making. The Oakland A's recently signed Tyler Soderstrom to a seven-year extension and continue to pursue additional long-term deals with players such as Jacob Wilson and Shea Langeliers. The San Francisco Giants made an offseason roster move, marking one of the few notable pieces of Giants activity so far.

Read at MLB Trade Rumors