Giants Linked to Tatsuya Imai, But Big Spending Still Seems Off the Table
Tatsuya Imai is one of the most intriguing arms on the international market this offseason. The Japanese ace has drawn plenty of interest from MLB clubs, and on paper, the San Francisco Giants look like a natural fit.
They’ve got the payroll flexibility, a rotation in need of top-end talent, and a fanbase hungry for a splash. But according to recent reports, it doesn’t look like the Giants are preparing to wade into the deep end of the pitching market.
Veteran baseball insider Buster Olney reported that while the Giants have been repeatedly linked to Imai, most of their recent inquiries have been centered around more affordable pitching options. That’s a pretty strong signal that San Francisco may not be in on the bidding war for Imai, who’s expected to command a nine-figure deal.
A Familiar Pattern in San Francisco
For longtime Giants fans, this approach is starting to feel all too familiar. The franchise hasn’t exactly been shy about spending in the past - think Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija - but those deals didn’t age particularly well. Since then, the front office has been far more cautious when it comes to handing out long-term contracts to starting pitchers.
Chairman Greg Johnson has echoed that conservative stance again this offseason, suggesting the Giants aren’t likely to chase the biggest names on the market. That’s especially notable in light of Dylan Cease’s recent deal with the Blue Jays - a contract that sets the bar for what top-tier arms like Imai will likely demand.
It’s not that the Giants can’t spend. It’s more that they’ve consistently chosen not to go all-in on high-risk, high-reward pitching investments. And that philosophy could keep them on the sidelines in the Imai sweepstakes.
Imai Wants the Challenge, Not the Comfort
What adds another layer of intrigue - and perhaps frustration - is that Imai has reportedly made it clear he doesn’t want to join the Dodgers. Instead, he wants to compete against stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, not team up with them. That competitive mindset could make a team like the Giants, a division rival with a clear need and a platform to face the game’s best, an ideal landing spot.
From a roster standpoint, the Giants have two significant holes in their starting rotation. They also have the financial resources to make a serious offer. So the idea that they might pass on Imai - not because of fit, but because of risk aversion - is understandably frustrating for a fanbase that’s watched the Dodgers and Padres make bold moves in recent years.
Risk vs. Reward in the Giants’ Front Office
There’s no denying the risk involved in giving a big contract to a pitcher who’s never thrown a pitch in MLB. But that’s the nature of modern free agency, especially when you’re trying to close the gap on a powerhouse like Los Angeles. At some point, calculated risk becomes a necessary part of building a contender.
Could the Giants be playing things close to the vest? It’s possible.
Buster Posey, now part of the front office brain trust, has been known to keep things quiet. But based on the team’s recent track record - including a lack of serious pursuit for Corbin Burnes last offseason - it looks like they’re once again leaning toward more modest additions.
The Bottom Line
Tatsuya Imai checks a lot of boxes for the Giants. He’s young, talented, and competitive, and he wants to take on the best. San Francisco has the need and the resources, but unless something changes, it appears they’ll sit this one out - not because they can’t make the move, but because they’re choosing not to.
For a team trying to climb out of the middle of the pack in a loaded division, that’s a tough pill to swallow.