Astros Lock Down Imai: Right-hander Signs $54 Million, 3-Year Deal
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The Houston Astros have finalized a $54 million, three-year contract with right-hander Tatsuya Imai, creating a significant boost to their pitching staff. As part of the deal, the Astros designated right-hander Kaleb Ort for assignment to make room on the roster. Imai's contract includes a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $16 million this year, $18 million in each of the next two seasons, with potential escalators tied to his performance in 2026. The 27-year-old Imai, who went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA last season for the Seibu Lions, has a strong track record in Japan, boasting a 58-45 win-loss record with a 3.15 ERA in eight seasons. He is a three-time All-Star and holds multiple team records, including the most strikeouts in a single game with 17 against Yokohama in June 2023. Imai's deal with the Astros is the third-highest average annual value for a Japanese pitcher entering Major League Baseball, following Yoshinobu Yamamoto's $27.08 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Masahiro Tanaka's $22.14 million contract with the New York Yankees. The Seibu Lions will receive a $9.675 million posting fee from the Astros, as well as a supplemental fee of 15% of any earned bonuses, salary escalators, and exercised options under MLB's posting agreement with Nippon Professional Baseball.
