The Philadelphia Phillies have looked to make their name known in the Japanese market for a while. There have been a few names in the past that have caught their attention, like Yoshinobu Yamamoto before the 2024 season. The Phillies reportedly offered him more money than the Dodgers, proving their willingness to open the checkbook if they get the opportunity.
The Phillies still have that chance to land a Japanese star with right-handed starter Tatsuya Imai on his way to Major League Baseball. Imai is a 27-year-old starter who currently plays for the Seibu Lions in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) but is bringing his talents to MLB as he will reportedly be posted next week.