Houston Astros: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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.

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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.

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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

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 / 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.

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.

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

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

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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 / 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.

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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 / 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 / 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.

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.

Interesting contract details emerge after Astros win the Tatsuya Imai race

Yankees reportedly have made official offer to Cody Bellinger

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

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

Atlanta Braves' revamped roster still missing key element

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 / MLB on ClutchPoints / January 1

Tatsuya Imai signing with Astros

Tatusya Imai’s free agency process was shrouded in a bit of mystery, with numerous teams being the front runners. But in the end, Imai is heading to the AL West to begin his MLB career.

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.