In signing Tatsuya Imai, the Houston Astros were able to address one of their greatest roster needs ahead of the 2026 season. Despite headwinds with their payroll, the Astros added one of the best arms on the market, and it didn't require a nine-figure guarantee or losing a valuable draft pick by signing a player with a qualifying offer attached. However, all of that doesn't mean that adding Imai didn't cost Houston something few are thinking about.
By adding Imai, the Astros have shaken up their rotation that had already added some arms. Imai is going to get every chance to work as a starter in Houston, but it means yet another roster spot is locked in, and the Astros have more arms than spots right now.