NPB Posting
Seibu Lions post Tatsuya Imai for MLB free agency
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The Saitama Seibu Lions announced on Monday that they will post right-handed pitcher Tatsuya Imai for MLB teams this offseason. The 27-year-old standout enters a 45-day negotiation window after a dominant 2025 season in Nippon Professional Baseball. Imai's availability adds intrigue to a pitching-thin free-agent market.
The San Francisco Giants are among teams pursuing Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai, who was recently posted by the Saitama Seibu Lions of NPB. Imai impressed with a 1.92 ERA over 163 innings last season and could slot in as a No. 3 starter for the Giants' rotation. MLB Network's Jon Morosi called Imai the 'perfect player' for San Francisco.
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Munetaka Murakami, a power-hitting infielder from Japan's Tokyo Yakult Swallows, became available to MLB teams on Saturday after entering the posting system. The 25-year-old, who turns 26 in February, is a two-time NPB MVP and four-time All-Star with a career .270 batting average and 246 home runs. However, former Boston Red Sox player Lou Merloni has warned against signing him due to struggles against high-velocity pitches.