Right-handed pitcher Tatsuya Imai and the Houston Astros have reached a deal on a three-year contract worth $54 million, according to a source close to the negotiations who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press on Thursday.
Imai is set to receive a $2 million signing bonus, a $16 million salary in the first year, and $18 million salaries in each of the following two years. This season, he has the potential to earn an additional $3 million through performance bonuses, with $1 million awarded for reaching 80, 90, and 100 innings pitched. His salaries for 2027 and 2028 could increase depending on the bonuses he secures in 2026, potentially raising the total contract value to $63 million over three years. Imai also has the option to opt-out of his contract following the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
According to the posting agreement between Major League Baseball (MLB) and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the contract must be finalized by 5 p.m. ET on Friday. Imai now ranks as the third-highest paid Japanese pitcher in the major leagues, behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles with $27.08 million and Masahiro Tanaka of the New York Yankees, who earned $22.14 million during his 2014-2020 contract.
At 27 years old, Imai compiled a 10-5 record with a 1.92 ERA this season for the Seibu Lions in Japan’s Pacific League, striking out 178 batters over 163 2/3 innings. Across eight seasons with Seibu, he amassed a 58-45 record, a 3.15 ERA, and 907 strikeouts in 963 2/3 innings, earning three All-Star selections. Notably, he pitched a no-hitter on April 18 against Fukuoka and set a team record with 17 strikeouts in a June 17 game versus Yokohama, surpassing Daisuke Matsuzaka’s previous record of 16 strikeouts in 2004.
As part of the MLB-NPB posting agreement, the Seibu Lions will receive a $9.675 million posting fee from the Astros, plus 15% of any earned bonuses, salary increases, and options exercised.
Fan Take: This signing is a major win for the Astros, adding a top-tier international talent to their roster and continuing their dominance in pitching acquisitions. For baseball fans, Imai’s arrival signals the growing impact of Japanese pitchers in MLB, elevating the level of competition and showcasing the global reach of the sport.
