Seibu Lions pitcher Tatsuya Imai (27) revealed on the 10th that he has expressed his desire to transfer to the US Major Leagues using the posting system. After the fall practice at Belluna D finished, he negotiated with team general manager Koji Hiroike (52) and requested a transfer this offseason, saying, "It'll be too late after the best time has passed. I don't want to miss this opportunity." The team will carefully consider whether to approve the request, but the powerful arm, which can throw up to 160 km/h, could be heading overseas as early as next season.
Imai spoke clearly about his passionate desire for his dream. After speaking with Hiroike, the team's general manager, he negotiated with his agent. He looked straight ahead and raised his voice.
"I'm not in my prime, but you never know when my best period will begin or end. It's too late once it's over. I've been able to play as a central player for the team over the last two or three years, so I'd like to take on the challenge over the next one or two years. I want to see how far I can go."
He also revealed that he had been telling the team about his desire to play in the majors since last year. He joined the team as the first pick in the 2016 draft from Sakushin Gakuin, and in his ninth season this year, he has made 24 appearances and recorded 10 wins (5 losses), his third consecutive year with double-digit win, ERA of 1.92. He has already signed a contract with Boras Corporation, run by the skilled agent Scott Boras (72), and his agent and the team have reportedly held negotiations during the season.
Even if all goes well, he won't be able to obtain overseas free agency rights until 2027. Imai explained the content of his request on this day, saying, "It's like, can you approve it this year?" He emphasized, "Looking at my personal numbers from last year and this year, I think I was able to have a fairly satisfactory season, and I don't want to miss the opportunity."
Hiroike, the team's general manager and negotiator, said, "He's such pitcher, so naturally we want him to stay," and expressed his hope that he will remain a key starter next season. "We have accepted his desire to post and go to the majors. We have officially received the offer today, so we will carefully examine it from now on," he said, revealing his intention to carefully consider the matter.
Manager Nishiguchi, who became pitcher coach the year Imai joined Seibu and has watched his development, said of the possibility of losing his ace, "That would be a pain. It's something we can count on," but also expressed his parental feelings, saying, "He only has one baseball career, so I want to help him make his dream come true." Previously, Seibu players Matsuzaka and Kikuchi have attempted to make it to the majors through posting. There have been reports that a contract worth a total of $200 million (approximately 30 billion yen) is expected in the United States, meaning that if the transfer is realized, the team will be paid a large transfer fee. Applications for posting open from November 1st. All eyes will be on Leo's ace.
Interview with Imai
-What was the team's reaction?
"Just because we talk today doesn't mean we'll get results today. There are things the team needs to talk about, so we'll just have to wait for that to happen."
-During the season?
"My agent spoke to me once during the season."
-Will future negotiations basically be carried out together with your agent?
"Of course, when an agent is present, we will be together, but I hope Hiroike and I can talk about various things together."
-How do you feel right now?
"You only have one life, so you want to do everything you can, and I enjoy taking on different challenges, so I want to do my best while I can."
-What is the basis for the discussion?
"I'm doing it to win first and foremost. I think it would be best if I could play for a team that wants to win and wants to be the champion, and I think that kind of thing leads to motivation, so that's probably the most important thing."
- Were you able to convey your hopes more strongly this year than last year?
"I didn't have many opportunities to talk to him in person, so I was able to have a more thorough conversation than last year."
◆Posting System A system in which NPB players transfer to MLB before acquiring overseas free agency rights. If their Japanese team approves, NPB will accept the team's application and inform MLB, and negotiations can begin the day after all 30 major league teams have been notified. The application processing period begins on November 1st. A transfer fee will be paid by the MLB team to their Japanese team based on the total contract amount. Players under the age of 25 can only sign minor league contracts, and the total amount of signing bonuses and other payments is limited.
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