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On YouTubeHouston Astros News / Crawfish Boxes / January 1
Report: Astros sign Tatsuya Imai 
Dedicated Astros fans have been waiting all offseason for a big move and it looks like they get one as a New Year’s gift. It has been reported in multiple outlets that the Astros are in agreement with Japanese phenom Tatsuya Imai on a three year contract with opt outs after the first and second season.
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 / CBSSports.com / January 1
MLB free agent tracker: Astros kick off 2026 by landing Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai
Here are the latest signings from baseball's hot stove
The 'Active MLB home run leaders' quiz
How many of the most prolific power hitters in baseball today can you name in 5 minutes?
Houston Astros News / Yardbarker / January 1
Astros start the new year off right by adding Tatsuya Imai
The Astros kicked off 2026 with a bang by adding Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai.
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 / Houston Astros on SI / January 1
Houston Astros Land Japanese Star Tatsuya Imai in Surprise Agreement
The Houston Astros entered the offseason with a clear priority after their first non-playoff season since 2016. Injuries ravaged their rotation in 2025, and with ace Framber Valdez likely departing in free agency, general manager Dana Brown needed to find quality arms.
Houston Astros News / ESPN / January 1
Sources: Astros, RHP Imai agree to 3-year deal
Star Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai and the Astros are in agreement on a free agent contract, sources told ESPN.
Houston Astros News / MLB on ClutchPoints / January 1
Looking back at Astros’ biggest surprise of 2025
The Houston Astros’ 2025 season was marked by two powerfully contrasting narratives. On the one hand, the team endured its first playoff drought since 2016 after finishing second with an 87-75 record in the American League West, thus ending the franchise’s streak of eight consecutive postseason appearances.
Hunter Brown News / Houston Astros on SI / January 1
One Stat to Explain Why Astros Have Faith in Hunter Brown as Future Ace
The Houston Astros aren’t paying much mind to Framber Valdez, their left-handed free agent. The feeling may be mutual. Valdez is looking for a multi-year deal worth nine figures.
Yainer Diaz News / Last Word On Sports / December 31
Yainer Diaz’s Next Step: What the Astros Need From Him in 2026
The Houston Astros offense struggled for long stretches last season, and injuries played a major role. However, multiple position players failed to produce consistently when it was needed.
Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / December 31
Astros’ Postseason Streak Ended in Season with Dubious Distinction in MLB History
For the Houston Astros, the 2025 season was the end of a treasured run for the franchise. While the Astros won 87 games and finished second in the AL West, Houston missed the postseason for the first time since the 2016 season, when they won 84 games and finished in third place in the division.
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.
Brice Matthews News / Last Word On Sports / December 31
The Astros Plan for Brice Matthews in 2026
The Houston Astros already have a surplus of infielders, and it will be interesting to see how the team decides on the starting infield lineup for 2026.
Yordan Alvarez News / Last Word On Sports / December 31
The Astros Key Bounce-back Player for 2026
The Houston Astros shockingly missed the MLB postseason for the first time since 2016, and expectations are high in Houston for the club to return to the playoffs. How can the Astros get back to October baseball?
Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / December 31
Astros Finally Getting Chance to See First-Round Pick Xavier Neyens in Action
When the Houston Astros selected Xavier Neyens in the first round of the 2025 MLB draft, he got the full first-round draft pick treatment. In fact, as it worked out, Neyens met the team for the first time in his native Washington state.
Shay Whitcomb News / Crawfish Boxes / December 31
2025 Astros Farm System Position Series: Third Base
The final review of the 2025 season will be looking at each position in the Astros farm system. Next up is the third base position. Shay Whitcomb Whitcomb has been a constant producer in the Astros system for the last few years and 2025 was no different.
Houston Astros News / Crawfish Boxes / December 31
In the lab: Starting Pitcher BPO
Look around the Astros fansphere and you will see no other topic of conversation that has resonated as much as the conversation over the starting rotation.
Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / December 31
Astros Slugging Rookie Sensation Named Team's Breakout Player Next Season
The Houston Astros entered the offseason with fans hoping they would shake some things up following their first missed playoff appearance in nearly a decade.
Houston Astros News / MLB Trade Rumors / December 30
A’s, Nick Hernandez Agree To Minor League Deal
The A’s are in agreement with reliever Nick Hernandez on a minor league contract, reports Ari Alexander of Boston 7 News. The righty celebrates his 31st birthday with a new landing spot after electing free agency at the beginning of the offseason.
MLB News / Last Word On Sports / December 30
Astros Could Be in Play to Trade for Young Red Sox Starter
The Houston Astros’ search for pitching doesn’t seem like it’s over in the slightest. The Astros have made several smaller moves throughout the offseason, along with a couple of significant trades.
Framber Valdez News / Houston Astros on SI / December 30
Astros Linked to Brewers Right-Handed Pitcher as Potential Framber Valdez Replacement
As each day passes, it's becoming clear that Framber Valdez is going to find a new home in free agency and leave the Houston Astros. That's not a surprise, as the writing has been on the wall for some time.
Framber Valdez News / Houston Astros on SI / December 30
Former Astros Ace Framber Valdez Wants To Participate In WBC
The World Baseball Classic is set to go underway in March 2026 and teams from each country are outlining their players. The deadline to finalize each 30-man roster is February 3rd, 2026.
Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / December 30
Astros Should Eye Risky but High-Upside Move for Japanese Star Pitcher
To date, the Houston Astros' offseason has been defined by a "Moneyball"-like approach to finding overlooked talent - particularly on the pitching front - who could bring value at a lower price than some of the high-cost top free agents.
Houston Astros News / MLB Trade Rumors / December 21
Astros GM Dana Brown addresses several matters related to offseason
Houston general manager Dana Brown spoke with reporters (including the Houston Chronicle’s Matt Kawahara, the Athletic’s Chandler Rome, and MLB.com’s Daniel
MLB News / Yardbarker / December 20
Tampa Bay Rays get king's ransom in Brandon Lowe, Shane Baz trades
The Tampa Bay Rays were busy on Friday.
MLB News / Yardbarker / December 19
Pirates need to continue improving even after adding Brandon Lowe
The Pittsburgh Pirates struck out in their pursuit of free agent Kyle Schwarber to add a big bat to their lineup. They did not strike out on Friday in the trade market.
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