Japanese Players
Japanese stars Imai and Okamoto meet MLB teams in LA
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As their posting windows near closure, Japanese free agents Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto are holding in-person meetings with MLB clubs in Los Angeles this week. The 27-year-old right-hander Imai faces a Friday deadline, while 29-year-old infielder Okamoto has until Sunday. Both players, coming off strong NPB seasons, have drawn interest from multiple teams seeking to bolster their rosters.
MLB executives predict the San Francisco Giants will sign Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai, the top international free agent this offseason. The 27-year-old was posted by the Saitama Seibu Lions on November 18, with his signing window open until January 2. Imai expressed a desire to compete against stars like Shohei Ohtani rather than join them.
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Tatsuya Imai, a 27-year-old right-hander posted by Japan's Saitama Seibu Lions, has expressed a desire to join a team that can compete against the Los Angeles Dodgers rather than signing with them. In an interview, Imai highlighted the appeal of beating the Dodgers' Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki to win a World Series. MLB insider Jon Morosi suggested the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, or San Francisco Giants as ideal landing spots to fulfill that ambition.
The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched back-to-back World Series titles with a 5-4, 11-inning victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7. Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto played pivotal roles, with Yamamoto earning series MVP honors. Celebrations erupted across Japan, particularly in Tokyo.