2026 is here, for better or worse. For the Astros, they’re definitely hoping for the former, considering they did agree to terms with Tatsuya Imai on Thursday. In any case, baseball is inching closer to a return as Spring Training isn’t that far away now. We’re only 50 days away from the first Grapefruit League game of the year. While the novelty of Spring Training and Grapefruit League games tends to wear off quickly, it is a relief knowing that baseball will exit its offseason sooner rather than later. It also helps speed things along when the Astros add a pitcher of Imai’s confidence and reputation, even if there are growing pains along the way.
And here’s to you, Yusei Kikuchi. Those two months in 2024 have seemingly paid long-term dividends for both him and the Astros. That’s a feel-good story in my book.
Tatsuya Imai’s Career NPB Stats (FanGraphs)
Some Links
Chandler Rome and Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6934001/2026/01/01/tatsuya-imai-astros-deal-mlb-free-agency
Brian McTaggart, MLB.com
https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/tatsuya-imai-astros-deal
lol. I guess it’s probably a good thing that Boras thinks that the Astros pitching coaches can get him a bigger payday in the following off season. The Astros can have an endless stream of Boras pitchers come through on short term deals and then let other teams give them long term contracts the following year.
Boras will promote any good stories about his clients to make a buck.