Several players from overseas leagues such as the KBO and NPB have been posted by their respective organizations to make the move to MLB. Over the years, the Los Angeles Dodgers have set the framework for signing top Japanese and Korean talent, but other teams, including the New York Mets, are eager to join the race.
The recent news of starter Tatsuya Imai being posted to MLB has generated significant buzz. Imai is widely regarded as one of the top-10 starting pitchers available in free agency this season. In fact, many experts predict that the Mets will be the team to secure the 1.92 ERA ace with a long-term contract.
It’s important to understand the posting system for players transitioning from NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) to MLB. Players with less than nine years of professional experience require a posting fee to be paid by the signing MLB club. This financial element effectively limits potential suitors to MLB teams willing to spend big.
According to a recent prediction by Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, the Mets are prepared to open up their checkbook for Imai. Miller projects that New York will sign the right-hander to a five-year, $110 million deal. He writes, “A nine-figure deal (before even factoring in the posting fee) is definitely on the table, though, as Imai is easily one of the six most coveted arms available this winter, possibly even the No. 1 target atop a number of big boards.”
With several high-profile free agents on the market, it will be intriguing to see how teams like the Mets leverage their resources to add top international talent like Tatsuya Imai in the coming weeks.
https://heavy.com/sports/mlb/mets-urged-to-sign-tatsuya-imai-japan-to-110-million-deal/