Houston Astros: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

MLB teams have doubts about Tatsuya Imai

Tatsuya Imai was a big free agent pitcher on the market who ended up signing this week. Though the Houston Astros decided to give it a go with the Japanese pitcher, apparently other teams had some concerns.

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The Quiz of the Day

Astros Designate Kaleb Ort For Assignment

The Astros announced they’ve designated reliever Kaleb Ort for assignment. That opened the 40-man roster spot to finalize their three-year free agent deal with Tatsuya Imai.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / January 2

Astros' Opening Day Lineup Prediction Has Several Familiar Names

As we turn the page to 2026, Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown didn't waste time in the New Year to make an eye-opening addition to his roster.

Kyle Schwarber News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Active MLB home run leaders' quiz

How many of the most prolific power hitters in baseball today can you name in 5 minutes?

The 'Last 40-home-run season by MLB team' quiz

The 'MLB All-Star Game MVPs' quiz

The '50-home-run MLB seasons' quiz

Houston Astros News / The Forkball / January 2

Astros Sign Japanese Star Tatsuya Imai to Three-Year Deal

The Houston Astros made one of the offseason’s most significant international moves by reaching an agreement with Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai on a three-year free-agent contract.

NFL News / Yardbarker

The 25 most memorable sports plays of 2025

When it comes to unforgettable plays within the 2025 sports calendar, this was truly a special year. Here's our rankings of the 25 best.

Houston Astros News / Stadium Rant / January 2

The Astros Sign Tatsuya Imai Out Of Nowhere

The Houston Astros started the new year by signing Tatsuya Imai to a three-year contract worth up to $63 million on Thursday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Houston Astros News / Crawfish Boxes / January 2

In the lab: Bullpen BPO

Obviously, things have changed considerably in the last 24 hours. The signing of Tatsuya Imai changes the pitching landscape considerably. So, one name that was included with the starters will now move to the bullpen.

Dana Brown News / Houston Astros on SI / January 2

Why Japanese Arm Tatsuya Imai Was On Astros' Dana Brown's Radar

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown is a man full of surprises. In a stunning move out of nowhere, the Astros signed Japanese Star Tatsuya Imai to a three-year deal worth $54 million, with each year earning $18 million and given an opt-out option after each season.

Framber Valdez News / CBSSports.com / January 2

Batting Around: Where will Framber Valdez sign -- and which team needs him most?

Valdez remains the top available pitcher on the market and plenty of teams could use his services

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / January 2

Here’s Why Astros May Have to Trade Infielder After Tatsuya Imai Deal

The Houston Astros stunned much of baseball by managing to land pitcher Tatsuya Imai on New Year’s Day. By landing the Japanese free agent, the Astros have fortified their rotation in a way that Ryan Weiss and Mike Burrows, their other offseason acquisitions, likely won’t.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / January 1

Inside Tatsuya Imai's Astros Deal and What It Means for Starting Rotation

The Astros signed Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai just before his Friday deadline, but the contract structure reveals strategic thinking beyond the $63 million maximum value.

MLB News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest pitching seasons from the modern MLB era

America's favorite pastime has more memorable performances than any sport. As such, figuring out which pitchers had the best seasons ever is no easy task.

Houston Astros News / Crawfish Boxes / January 1

Imai Signing Gets Astros Offseason Officially In Motion

Happy New Year Astros fans! The Astros offseason has now officially started. It was close to 11 a.m. CT when Jeff Passan reported that the Houston Astros were signing Japanese star pitcher Tatsuya Imai.

Houston Astros News / Just Baseball / January 1

Tatsuya Imai To Sign With Houston Astros

With just over 24 hours to go before the end of his posting window, NPB star Tatsuya Imai agreed to a contract with the Houston Astros. The deal guarantees Imai $54 million over three years, and he can earn an additional $3 million in each season that he reaches 100 innings pitched.

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The 'TE receiving leaders by NFL team' quiz

The 'Leading receivers vs. each NFL team' quiz

The 'CFP appearances' quiz

The 'Top-50 all-time NFL rushers' quiz

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / January 1

Three Key Storylines That Shaped the Houston Astros’ 2025 Season

The year of 2025 has sunsetted and MLB fans everywhere are looking forward to a fresh start with the change of the calendar. The Houston Astros will look back on the past season as one of the most unusual in recent franchise history.

Houston Astros News / Larry Brown Sports / January 1

Interesting contract details emerge after Astros win the Tatsuya Imai race

Tatsuya Imai is officially headed to the 713.

Astros start the new year off right by adding Tatsuya Imai

Red Sox predicted to lose Alex Bregman to dark-horse AL suitor

Predicting Tarik Skubal's eventual contract based on other elite arms

25 MLB players on the brink of stardom in 2026

The 'World Series MVPs' quiz

Houston Astros News / MLB on ClutchPoints / January 1

The other teams ‘seriously involved’ in Tatsuya Imai talks before Astros signing

Tatsuya Imai emerged as one of the defining figures of the MLB free agency cycle entering the new year, agreeing to terms with the Houston Astros and bringing clarity to a competitive international bidding process.

Houston Astros News / MLB on ClutchPoints / January 1

Tatsuya Imai, Astros grades for 3-year contract worth up to $63 million

For most of 2025, it looked as if the Houston Astros would conduct business as usual. That is, until the Astros collapsed down the stretch, allowing the surging Seattle Mariners to seize the AL West.

Houston Astros News / Total Apex Sports / January 1

Japanese Ace Tatsuya Imai Signs $63 Million Deal With Houston Astros

The Houston Astros and Japanese Ace Tatsuya Imai are reportedly in agreement on a three-year deal that maxes out at $63 million, per Chandler Rome. The contract has opt-outs after every season, giving Tatsuya Imai the option to re-enter the open market at any time after he shows teams what he can do against top Major League talent.

Houston Astros News / Last Word On Sports / January 1

Astros Land Japanese Starter Tatsuya Imai

Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai and the Houston Astros have reached an agreement on a three-year, $63 million contract. The deal, which includes player opt-outs after each season, carries an average annual value of $21 million — the second-highest AAV for a Japanese starter in MLB history, trailing only Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Houston Astros News / Field Level Media / January 1

Report: Astros reach deal with RHP Tatsuya Imai

The Houston Astros and star Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a free agent contract, ESPN reported Thursday. It's a three-year deal with opt-outs that includes $54 million in guarantees and could be worth up to $63 million, per the report.

Houston Astros News / New Baseball Media / January 2

Astros to Sign Tatsuya Imai: What to Make of Move

Tatsuya Imai found a home before his posting window ended on January 2. Imai will reportedly join the Astros on a three-year deal, a move that’ll give Houston a groundball-heavy pitcher to replace the one lost to the free agent market.