Star third/first baseman Munetaka Murakami entered the free agent market on Friday after the Tokyo Yakult Swallows posted him, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
On Monday, another NPB star joins Murakami on the list of Japanese free agents hitting the market, with the Seibu Lions with the announcement that they would be drafting 27-year-old right-handed pitcher Tatsuya Imai, according to ESPN.
Imai and Murakami both have 45 days from their post date to sign with a team, per the agreement between MLB and NPB. The postal period runs from November 1 to December 15.
Imai had his best season in 2025 for the Seibu Lions, posting a 10-5 record and a 1.92 ERA while striking out 178 batters. In eight seasons, Imai went 58-45 with a 3.15 ERA in 963.2 innings.
Tatsuya Imai will be one of the top guns on the market, but will his talents be worth the price?
MLB Trade Rumors predicted that Imai would sign a six-year, $150 million contract this offseason, which would put him below left-hander Carlos Rodon of the New York Yankees (six years, $162 million) and above right-hander Tyler Glasnow of the Los Angeles Dodgers (five years, $136.562 million). That’s a significant amount for a player who many scouts believe is a back-end starter or a possible swingman in the bullpen.
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