PATH FOR THE YANKEES TO SIGNING IMAI JUST TOOK AN INTERESTING TURN

Since last week I have been on a major Tatsuya Imai watch. It hasn't subsided and now that there are rumors surfacing now about more teams that may no longer be in play, it makes the Yankees potential path to signing Imai even more fascinating. I said last week, I just want to see who he signs with.

Last week Imai said he didn't want to play for the Dodgers. He wants to play against them and beat them to win a championship. Ever since I have been hooked because I just love that attitude. I have been trying to avoid all headlines teasing about Imai and his Yankee connections, and I was actually doing a good job until recently. I am not looking to get emotionally attached to the idea he wears pinstripes....but I am seeing more and more headlines.

Yesterday, Sports Illustrated hinted that the Yankees may not be as crazy of a destination as I thought, check it out HERE. Two of Imai's other potential suitors MIGHT be out of the race. Buster Olney posted on X over the weekend.

I'm not going to hold my breath because anything is possible. The Giants have been looking to make a splash since they lost out on Aaron Judge and what better way to try to compete with the Dodgers? It's an interesting idea, Imai could sign with a division rival and have more opportunities to play against and beat other Japanese players. It's an angle that could work.

There's also still the Blue Jays. I get it, they just signed Dylan Cease to a seven year $210 million dollar commitment, but adding a second starter could really reinforce the Blue Jays abilities to get back to the postseason. They add another arm, and they really could be dangerous, to everyone not just the Yankees. If they want to make a real investment another pitcher with a potent bat will only help their chances of playing baseball in November again.

There's a team that can't be overlooked and we haven't heard as much about and that's the Mets. We could see another faceoff between Cohen and Steinbrenner. The Mets realistically need multiple arms to retool their roster after a disappointing 2025 season where starting pitching did not meet expectations. The Mets need arms that can get them deeper into games and as disappointing as last season was, I don't see them sitting back and playing it cool.

So this could be another team to watch. Cohen has deep pockets, and he's already proven he's not afraid to dig into them. He's not looking for another disappointing season, so Imai could be just the move he has on his radar. I could see it happening.... this has the stink of the Mets all over it.

The Yankees have not made a splash in the NPB market since Masahiro Tanaka, so this could be the opportunity, but I am still not going to give my hopes up. Is the path to signing him getting less crowded? My gut tells me no but.... I'm still watching attentively.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj