Feb 10, 2025; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (11) watches players warm up during spring training camp. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Japanese Ace draws heavy interest from Cubs and Yankees

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Nathan Yasis | Last updated Dec 18, 2025 9:14 AM ET

Interest in Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai is starting to crystallize, with two major market franchises emerging as serious suitors. The Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees have both positioned themselves as key players in the early stages of his market.

MLB insider Francys Romero reported on December 17, citing industry sources, that around five teams are actively pursuing Imai, but added that Chicago and New York have positioned themselves as the frontrunners to secure his services.

“Around five MLB teams have shown real interest in 27-year-old Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai, per industry sources. The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs are expected to be finalists to sign Imai,” Romero wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Is Tatsuya Imai joining the Cubs?

As Imai weighs his options, former MLB player Todd Frazier said the Yankees are the best fit for the 27 year old, rather than joining the Cubs alongside two fellow Japanese players.

“I think [the Yankees] would be the best choice for him. For the Yankees to have this guy here [is ideal]. [Imai’s] a really good pitcher [and] has understandably been in the spotlight for a long time,” Frazier remarked during his appearance on Foul Territory.

On the mound, Imai delivered a dominant 2025 season with the Seibu Lions, finishing with a 1.92 ERA across 163.2 innings and racking up 178 strikeouts. He features a fastball that regularly sits in the mid 90s and can climb to 99 mph, but his true weapons are a sharp reverse slider and a splitter with heavy late drop. Inside the Cubs organization, their pitching group is eager at the idea of refining that pitch mix, confident they could harness his raw edge and elevate him into a legitimate Cy Young level arm.

It remains to be seen whether Cubs teammates Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki make a push to recruit Imai to Chicago. The Cubs have built a strong reputation as a landing spot for Japanese players, which could work in their favor, but the pull of joining the Yankees may ultimately prove harder for Imai to resist.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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