Regarding pitcher Tatsuya Imai (27), who is aiming to transfer to the majors from Seibu Lions using the posting system, New York local media outlet SNY reported on the 23rd (24th Japan time) that skepticism has emerged about the Yankees, who are considered the leading candidate to acquire Imai.
According to the media, Jack Curry, a reporter for the US broadcasting station "YES Network," appeared on a program and pointed out regarding the Yankees and Imai, "From what I sense, there is no connection." He said that this is different from the approach they took when they tried to acquire pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who transferred from Orix Buffaloes to the Dodgers in the offseason of 2011, and said, "I don't think the Yankees have been pursuing Imai aggressively or with strong enthusiasm up until now. I don't think they are the frontrunner to acquire Imai, and I don't think he will sign with the Yankees."
On the 19th of this month (20th in Japan), the New York Post Sports released a video of an interview with Manager Boone, in which he was asked, "Have you met with Imai, or do you have plans to?" The manager replied, "I haven't met with him, and I don't know what will happen in the future."
Imai's negotiation deadline is 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 2, 2026 (7:00 a.m. Japan Time on January 3).
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