Tatsuya Imai Signs $54 Million Deal with Houston Astros

Right-handed pitcher Tatsuya Imai has signed a three-year contract worth $54 million with the Houston Astros, according to a source familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press. The deal, which includes a $2 million signing bonus, was confirmed on Thursday, although the team has yet to make an official announcement.

Imai’s contract stipulates salaries of $16 million for the 2024 season and $18 million for each of the following two years. The 27-year-old can earn up to an additional $3 million in performance bonuses this year, receiving $1 million each for reaching 80, 90, and 100 innings pitched. Furthermore, if he achieves these benchmarks in 2026, his salaries for 2027 and 2028 will increase accordingly, potentially raising the total value of the contract to $63 million. Imai also has the option to opt out after the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

The San Francisco Giants had been considered frontrunners to sign Imai earlier this offseason but ultimately chose to pursue other options, including signing veteran pitchers like Adrian Houser and Tyler Mahle to bolster their rotation.

Under the existing posting agreement between Major League Baseball (MLB) and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the Astros must finalize the deal by 5 p.m. EST on Friday. Imai’s annual average value of $18 million ranks as the third-highest for a Japanese pitcher entering MLB, trailing only Yoshinobu Yamamoto‘s $27.08 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Masahiro Tanaka‘s $22.14 million with the New York Yankees.

Imai’s performance in the 2023 season with the Seibu Lions has solidified his reputation as a top-tier pitcher, finishing with a record of 10-5 and an impressive 1.92 ERA. He recorded 178 strikeouts over 163 2/3 innings, showcasing his ability to dominate on the mound. Notably, Imai pitched eight innings of a combined no-hitter against Fukuoka on April 18 and struck out 17 batters in a game against Yokohama on June 17, breaking a long-standing team record held by Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Throughout his eight seasons with Seibu, Imai has accumulated a record of 58-45 with a 3.15 ERA and 907 strikeouts in 963 2/3 innings. His accolades include three All-Star selections, positioning him as a significant addition to the Astros’ pitching lineup.

With this latest contract, the Astros aim to strengthen their roster further as they prepare for the upcoming MLB season. The financial investment reflects the team’s confidence in Imai’s abilities to contribute to their success on the field.