Giants Unwilling to Match Price for Tatsuya Imai

The San Francisco Giants are, once again, steering clear of the deep end in free agency. This time, it’s with highly sought-after Japanese righty Tatsuya Imai.

Imai checks a lot of boxes for them. Even so, the team’s current financial mindset, big recent contracts, and worries about revenue have nudged them toward a safer, short-term plan instead of making a huge, nine-figure offer.

Giants Pass on Aggressive Pursuit of Tatsuya Imai

On paper, Tatsuya Imai really does look like the kind of international pitcher who could lead a rotation for years. The Giants are still searching for both impact and a bit of identity on the mound, and he seems like a possible answer.

But, honestly, what the front office does says more than any scouting report.

Meeting Boras, but Keeping the Checkbook Closed

The Giants recently met with Imai’s agent, Scott Boras. That’s a necessary step for any team considering a top free agent.

Still, everything points to the meeting being more of a “let’s see what’s up” than a real push. Other clubs are apparently ready to spend like the Dylan Cease $210 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Giants, though, aren’t showing any sign they want to get into that kind of bidding war.

That approach lines up with their overall financial reality and a leadership style that’s only gotten clearer lately.

Recent Big Contracts Are Shaping the Giants’ Strategy

The Giants haven’t stopped spending. But they’re picking their spots, dropping big dollars in certain places and trimming risk everywhere else.

Those choices are now boxing them in with Imai and other top-end free agents.

Willy Adames and Rafael Devers Deals Loom Large

They’ve already handed out huge contracts to core infielders:

These deals might lock down the infield for a while, but they also make future splurges riskier. Add in other contracts and deferred money, and that “room” for another $200 million-plus contract starts to look pretty theoretical.

Technically, the Giants could have up to $60 million before hitting the luxury tax. But that number’s fuzzy.

Deferred money, managerial costs, and future obligations all chip away at that cushion. It’s no wonder the front office is playing things safer.

Buster Posey’s Leadership: Fast Deals, Fewer Boras Clients

Since Buster Posey took over baseball operations, the Giants’ negotiating style has shifted. His philosophy is a big reason they’re not jumping into the Imai chase.

Opt-Out Clauses and Long Negotiations a Sticking Point

Posey’s avoided signing Boras clients since taking charge. That’s probably not a coincidence.

Boras likes to drag out talks and squeeze out the last dollar. He also pushes for opt-out clauses so players can bail early.

Posey prefers quick, straightforward deals with fewer escape hatches. That’s a tough match with the Boras playbook, and Imai’s camp doesn’t seem any different. So, the Giants took the meeting, but there’s no real sign they’re going all-in.

Revenue Pressures Behind the Cautious Spending

The Giants aren’t just afraid of a bad contract. The financial landscape is shifting, and it’s changing how even big-market teams think about long-term commitments.

Attendance, TV Money, and a Strategic Stake Sale

At first glance, the Giants seem stable. Attendance is up, and their TV deal with NBC Sports Bay Area is still in place.

But cable and streaming are both in flux, and that brings real uncertainty:

The Giants sold a 10 percent stake in the team to Sixth Street Partners to help with infrastructure and long-term stability. That cash is set aside for stadium and facility upgrades, not player signings.

Honestly, it just adds more pressure to spend carefully, not to start writing record-breaking checks.

Ongoing Struggles in the Pacific Rim Market

Once, the Giants had a reputation for global scouting. Their recent results in Japan, though, have been pretty underwhelming.

Their stance on Imai feels like part of a pattern, not a one-off.

A Decade Without a Japanese-Born Player

The team keeps scouting the Pacific Rim hard, but they can’t seem to close the deal when it matters. They missed out on megastars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, both of whom changed the fortunes of the teams that landed them.

It’s now been over a decade since a Japanese-born player suited up for the Giants. That gap highlights the disconnect between interest and execution.

Imai’s case looks like another chapter in the same story—San Francisco watches from a distance while other teams go all-in.

What the Giants’ Approach Signals About Their Future

By stepping back from an aggressive pursuit of Tatsuya Imai, the Giants are sending a clear message about their current identity. They’re choosing financial caution over star-chasing.

They’re still active in the market, but they’re prioritizing short-term, modest deals. Long-term, high-risk commitments just aren’t on their radar right now.

San Francisco seems content to operate just below the luxury tax. They’re leaning on targeted signings and waiting for a clearer revenue picture before jumping back into the high-stakes table.

Can that approach really keep pace in an era where elite talent keeps flocking to clubs willing to spend big? That’s probably going to be one of the defining questions of the Giants’ next competitive window.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Giants not inclined to spend what it takes to sign Tatsuya Imai: Sources