Tatsuya Imai’s MLB future hangs in the balance as the New York Mets weigh whether to make a franchise-shifting move before his posting window closes.
Could Imai’s electric arsenal and rising fastball give the Mets the frontline starter they need, or will front office hesitation see him go elsewhere?
Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down Imai’s standout 2025 NPB numbers, analyzes how his arm slot changes and unique pitch mix might translate to MLB, and explores the contract and posting fee hurdles that have cooled big-market demand.
Key questions swirl around the Mets’ rotation plans—should they gamble on Imai’s upside or double down on Kodai Senga’s proven ghost fork?
With options like Framber Valdez lingering and young arms Brandon Sproat, Jonah Tong, and Nolan McLean waiting in the wings, Ryan Finkelstein examines roster flexibility, draft pick implications, and what front office silence could signal about the Mets’ true strategy for 2026.
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