New York Yankees fans hoping to land free-agent pitcher Tatsuya Imai have been beset for weeks by the fear that the Yanks might be outbid by one of Imai’s other powerful suitors. The talented right-hander from Japan is reportedly being pursued by the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and others. At what price point would Yankees general manager Brian Cashman remove himself from this race?
That’s a question that’s had Yankees fans tempering their expectations for Imai, but a new report from MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand goes in the other direction. Feinsand wrote on December 4 that the Yankees and Mets are the two clubs “most interested” in Imai, who has until January 2 to sign with a team.