The Philadelphia Phillies are among the top teams expected to spend this winter, and while Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto, along with free agent Kyle Tucker, are the names to watch, there are some other avenues the franchise could go.
Ranger Suarez is likely to depart in free agency, but with Zack Wheeler’s uncertainty for the start of 2026, the Phillies could still use a starting pitcher.
That’s why the report from David Vassegh of MLB Network that the Phillies are interested in a 1.92 ERA phenom starting pitcher from Japan, Tatsuya Imai, is a very interesting report.
Phillies heavily interested in Tatsuya Imai
“Speaking to my sources, with my Japanese friends out there,” Vassegh said, “They told me that the Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays, Mets, and Phillies are the leading candidates to sign Imai.”
Japanese star Tatsuya Imai will reportedly be posted for MLB teams next week 👀@THEREAL_DV reveals which teams are interested according to his sources.@Jared_Carrabis | @Joelsherman1 pic.twitter.com/sueViBPyDR
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 15, 2025
While it’s very likely that Vassegh misspoke when he said the Phillies twice, what that mix-up does is further establish that the Phillies are real players for the 27-year-old Japanese phenom.
In 2025, Imai had a 1.92 ERA in 24 starts for the Saitama Seibu Lions. Across 163.2 innings pitched, he allowed 101 hits, only 38 runs, six home runs, and 45 walks while striking out 178 batters.
He’s an incredible talent and one of the top free agent pitchers on the market this winter. While the Phillies tried but failed to sign Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yammamoto, they could wind up getting Imai to boost their rotation amid Suarez’s departure.
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A starting rotation of Wheeler, Imai, Cristopher Sanchez, Aaron Nola, and Jesus Luzardo would be incredible. Add on Andrew Painter, who could make his MLB debut, and Taijuan Walker as a long reliever, and the Phillies could have one of the best and deepest rotations in baseball in 2026.
They’ll have to contend with some top contenders, like the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, and New York Yankees, but the chance to bring in Imai is a very appealing one for the Phillies and Dave Dombrowski.
They’re heavily interested in Imai, and one of the leading candidates to land the 27-year-old Japanese ace this offseason.
