With the calendar about to flip to 2026, the New York Yankees have been relatively quiet this offseason. So far, their only addition from outside the organization is right-hander Cade Winquest, selected from the St.
Louis Cardinals in the Rule 5 Draft. And while that move adds some depth, it's clear the Yankees still have work to do-especially when it comes to bolstering a pitching staff facing early-season uncertainty.
The rotation, in particular, is a concern. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are expected to miss the start of the season as they recover from surgeries, and Clarke Schmidt isn't projected to return until after the All-Star break. That leaves a sizable gap at the top of the rotation-one that could use a proven arm to help weather the storm in the early months of the season.
That’s why some fans had their eyes on Tatsuya Imai, the 27-year-old right-hander from Japan’s Saitama Seibu Lions. Imai turned heads in 2025 with a 1.92 ERA over 24 starts, striking out nearly 10 batters per nine innings. His profile fits the mold of a pitcher who could step in and contribute right away, especially for a team like the Yankees, who are looking to stay afloat until their frontline arms return.
But despite the buzz, it appears there’s little traction between Imai and the Bronx Bombers.
“The vibe between Imai and the Yankees does not exist,” said YES Network’s Jack Curry during a recent episode of Hot Stove. That’s a strong indication that the Yankees aren’t seriously pursuing the Japanese ace, despite the potential fit.
Manager Aaron Boone echoed that sentiment over the weekend, confirming that the club hasn’t even met with Imai this winter. Speaking to reporters, Boone said he didn’t know whether the Yankees would engage with Imai at all-a clear sign that, at least for now, the front office has other priorities.
That revelation might come as a surprise to fans who’ve been hoping the Yankees would explore every avenue to reinforce their pitching. With Cole, Rodón, and Schmidt all sidelined to start the year, the rotation is far from set. And while internal options may get a chance to step up, the lack of urgency around a potential Imai signing raises questions about how the Yankees plan to navigate the early part of the 2026 campaign.
Of course, the offseason isn’t over yet. But as it stands, the Yankees’ approach seems to be one of patience-or perhaps confidence in the arms already in-house. Whether that strategy pays off will depend on how quickly their injured starters can return and how well the stopgaps perform in their absence.
For now, though, any connection between Tatsuya Imai and the Yankees appears to be little more than speculation. And unless something changes, it looks like the right-hander’s MLB debut will come in a different uniform.