Shōta Imanaga joined Yoshinobu Yamamoto as the two star pitchers from Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) attempting to make the jump to Major League Baseball in 2024.
Yamamoto of course signed the record contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers due to his ace-level ability and age at just 25 years old. Imanaga remains unsigned, but his market has began to move in recent days.
The Dodgers were previously interested in Imanaga as they search for an additional starting pitcher, but they now appear to be out of the mix.
There have been various reports about where the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs stand in the discussions, but according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, those two clubs remain possibilities to sign the southpaw:
Cubs and Red Sox seen as very much in play on lefthander Shota Imanaga. Giants another possible team among 5 suitors. Angels appear to be looking elsewhere at moment.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 9, 2024
The Giants were previously presumed to be the favorites to land Imanaga, but according to Heyman, they have started searching for other options as they are not one of the finalists:
Update: Hearing now Giants also looking elsewhere so they are not one of the 5 finalists. https://t.co/mHNtOLMSyO
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 9, 2024
Initial projections estimated Imanaga’s contract with an MLB team would hover around $75 million, but that has since increased with some feeling he could sign for $100 million. On top of the salary, any signing team would owe a posting fee to the Yokohama DeNA BayStars as well.
Other teams connected to the 30-year-old have been the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets and Los Angeles Angels, but like the Giants, the Angels now appear to be looking elsewhere. The New York Yankees were also speculated as a possibility, but they have reportedly ruled out signing him due to the fit of playing in Yankees Stadium.
Imanaga posted a 2.80 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 174 strikeouts in 148 innings pitched during his final season with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. He has been exceptional in his ability to limit walks, issuing just 1.5 free passes per nine innings pitched.
When will Shōta Imanaga sign?
Imanaga’s deadline to sign with a team is 2 p.m. PT on Thursday, January 11. His physical must be completed and the contract made official by that time, not just agreeing to terms.
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