Latest On Shota Imanaga’s Market
Shota Imanaga is among the more intriguing starting pitchers still on the free agent market.
Imanaga’s Market Gains Steam as Deadline Approaches
Shota Imanaga, the Japanese left-hander, has been a hot topic in the free agent market since becoming available to MLB teams on November 27. He has a 45-day window to sign with a major league club, and the deadline is rapidly approaching. With just eight days left until January 11, it's no surprise that his market is gaining steam this week.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, several teams have shown interest in Imanaga, including the Red Sox, Giants, Mets, and Cubs. The Yankees were also mentioned as a fallback option if they missed out on Yoshinobu Yamamoto. However, there are concerns among some teams, including the Yankees, about how well Imanaga would perform in a hitter-friendly park like Yankee Stadium.
Imanaga's Potential and Projected Contract
Despite the concerns about home runs, the 30-year-old Imanaga is expected to do well financially. He led NPB with 174 strikeouts and had an impressive 4% walk rate. Many executives believe he will sign a contract in excess of $100 million. This would surpass the five-year, $75 million deal signed by Kodai Senga last winter, despite Senga having a better platform showing.
Senga had only allowed seven homers with a higher strikeout rate and a lower ERA in 2022. However, Imanaga may benefit from Senga's success in his first MLB season, as he finished runner-up in NL Rookie of the Year voting. Some teams might have added confidence in Imanaga's ability to handle big league hitters based on Senga's performance.
Compensation and Potential Health Concerns
If a team signs Imanaga, they will owe the Yokohama BayStars a fee based on a percentage of the contract's value. The fee is structured as follows: 20% of the first $25 million, 17.5% of the next $25 million, and 15% of any additional spending.
In terms of health concerns, while Senga's elbow raised some reservations during his physical with the Mets, it did not hinder his deal. However, this could have influenced his earning potential. It remains to be seen if teams will have similar concerns regarding Imanaga's health.
