A three-year deal worth $54 million with incentives that could raise it to $63 million…why weren’t the New York Mets all over Tatsuya Imai? The Japanese righty will join the Houston Astros for at least a year. Every season includes an opt out, making him an inexpensive buy for the Astros who were looking for a more affordable starting pitcher option in lieu of Framber Valdez.
The contract and Imai’s age helped make him an ideal match for the Mets. Even with the risk of an opt out, it didn’t come with the same draft pick penalties that signing a qualifying offer rejector would have so it’s not the worst thing if he was to jump after one year.