Giants Should Go All-In on Tatsuya Imai in 2025

The San Francisco Giants are at a pivotal crossroads this offseason. Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai has become a prime target as they look to reshape a rotation desperate for top-end talent.

With the 2025 free agency period closing in, the Giants keep getting linked to Imai. He’s almost 28, boasts electric stuff, and his timing on the market might make him the centerpiece of San Francisco’s next contending core—if the team’s willing to take the plunge.

Why Tatsuya Imai Fits the Giants’ Most Pressing Need

The Giants haven’t hidden their offseason priority: they want starting pitching, and not just any arm. They need a true ace at the top of the rotation.

Buster Posey and other decision-makers have stressed the urgency of adding impact arms. Imai isn’t just another free agent—he could set the tone for the franchise’s next chapter.

San Francisco’s rotation has lacked a real, durable frontline presence lately. Depth is nice, but this club’s missed that one starter who can dominate and tilt a series.

In that light, Imai looks like a logical—and honestly, pretty compelling—target.

Imai’s NPB Track Record: Dominance in Japan

Imai’s résumé in Japan’s NPB stands out. He’s logged eight seasons of pro experience before even turning 28, showing durability and steady growth.

Those numbers put Imai among the best pitchers in Japan. He’s a righty who can suppress runs and carry a staff.

It’s no surprise he’s drawn MLB attention, but the Giants’ interest seems especially strong given their roster and current goals.

The Market Is Clearing in the Giants’ Favor

One dynamic working for San Francisco is the way the pitching market is shifting. As other teams hand out huge contracts to different arms, the Giants’ path to Imai is opening up.

Two big moves have already thinned the competition and changed the supply-and-demand picture.

Blue Jays and Mets Look Elsewhere

The Toronto Blue Jays swung big, signing Dylan Cease to a 7-year, $210 million deal. That takes them out of the Imai chase.

The New York Mets have shifted focus to Framber Valdez, putting their energy and money into a different frontline lefty.

With those clubs pivoting, the list of serious Imai contenders is shrinking. Suddenly, the Giants find themselves in a rare spot: they need a top starter, they match the player’s preferences, and there’s not a bidding war—at least not yet.

Imai’s Competitive Edge and Giants-Friendly Comments

Imai’s mindset and public comments have only fueled speculation about a San Francisco fit. He’s made some waves with his stance on one of the Giants’ biggest rivals.

Imai has openly called the idea of joining the Dodgers a “cop-out”, saying it’d be too easy. That kind of edge—wanting to carve his own path, not just join a powerhouse—lines up with what the Giants’ leadership wants.

Why the Giants Believe They’re the Favorites

Inside the organization, there’s a growing feeling that San Francisco could be Imai’s preferred landing spot. The opportunity, the need, and the chance to start a new chapter all line up as strong selling points.

Executives reportedly see the Giants as a likely destination. If Imai really wants to avoid the Dodgers, the fit gets even more interesting.

The Financial Gamble: Is Imai Worth the Price?

Of course, none of this comes cheap. Early projections put Imai’s price around 6 years, $157 million, posting fees included.

That’s a big investment for any team, especially for a pitcher who hasn’t thrown a single MLB pitch. But that’s just the reality for upside in today’s market.

Top-of-the-rotation talent almost never comes at a bargain. The real question is whether Imai’s the right bet compared to other options.

Risk Factors: Transition, Stuff, and Durability

The Giants have a few real concerns to consider:

None of these are deal-breakers, but they do make a six-year deal a calculated risk, not a slam dunk.

The Tim Lincecum Comparison: High-Octane Potential

The most tantalizing part for Giants fans? The comparisons to Tim Lincecum. No two pitchers are exactly the same, but there are some echoes of “The Freak” in Imai’s scouting reports.

Imai brings real velocity, a lively fastball, and a slider that can make hitters look silly when he’s on. That kind of profile can energize a fanbase and change a pitching staff fast—especially at Oracle Park.

Why the Giants Should Embrace the Upside

This is the kind of swing that can change the narrative for a team that keeps flirting with contention but hasn’t quite gotten back among the NL’s elite. There are risks, sure, but there’s also a shot to land a legitimate ace entering his prime.

Passing on Imai out of fear of the unknown would be the safe move—but is it the one that gets the Giants back to real contention? That’s up for debate.

A Statement Opportunity for the Giants’ Future

Pursuing Tatsuya Imai isn’t just about plugging a hole in the rotation. It’s a chance for the Giants to make a statement—one that says they’re aiming higher.

Signing Imai would show the Giants are ready to invest in a pitcher who could actually grow with the team. He might even become the anchor of the staff for years, if things go well.

If San Francisco actually lands Imai, it’s not just a big signing. It’s a bold move that hints the next great Giants rotation could be forming—one electric right arm at a time.

 
Here is the source article for this story: All in on Tatsuya Imai