Dodgers Rumors: Japanese Star Shota Imanaga Linked to LA This Offseason
The Los Angeles Dodgers need starting pitching. It’s as clear as day that LA needs to focus on that department this offseason; everyone knows it, including President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman.
Friedman made it know that the pitching market will be priority number one this offseason, and we’ll see if he can land one or two big fish in a sea of aces this offseason. There are several solid options to choose from this winter with familiar names like Blake Snell, Sonny Gray, and Jordan Montgomery entering free agency. Along with the names we know stateside, the pitchers from outside of the league may be just as fascinating.
In recent weeks, we’ve heard more about the link between the Dodgers and Japanese sensation pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. However, there’s another Japanese pitcher who is linked to the Dodgers that LA could make a move on.
Over at MLB.com, insider Mark Feinsand believes the Dodgers are lining up to be a top landing spot for a top left-hander out of Japan, Shota Imanaga. He has Imanaga as the 16th best free agent on the market this offseason in his recently published top-25 free agents list.
From Feinsand: Imanaga started the gold medal game for Team Japan in this year’s World Baseball Classic, kicking off a year that saw him go 7-5 with a 2.66 ERA for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. He has been one of the best pitchers in Japan since he broke into the Central League in 2016, posting more than a strikeout per inning throughout his career. He is expected to be posted by Yokohama this offseason and should have multiple suitors.
Potential fits: Dodgers, Giants, Mariners
(per Mark Feinsand via MLB.com)
Imanaga, 30, has spent all his career in the Nippon Professional Baseball League (NPB) and even participated in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Throughout his career, he owns a 3.18 ERA, a 64-50 win-loss record, with over 1,000 strikeouts. He’s a two-time All-Star in the NPB.
The Dodgers could make their move on Shota if all doesn’t go well with their first options, but if he is viewed as a consolation prize, what a good one it could be if all goes well. We’ll see how aggressively LA pursues Imanaga. Notably working against LA is the fact that Imanaga would have to be pursued under the posting system. Meaning the Dodgers — or any club that does win the rights to signing him — would have to pay the BayStars for that right.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, the release fee accumulates based on the size of the contractual guarantee: 20 percent of the initial $25 million; 17.5 percent of any amount between $25 million and $50 million; and 15 percent for any amount beyond $50 million.
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Dodgers may have two slots open in the rotation depending on Kershaw. As you report Yamamoto is the priority but Imanaga is not a bad consolation piece. I see the Dodgers using Buehler, Pepiot and Miller as starters and then Kershaw? If they sign one more starter then they have Sheehan, Grove, Knack and other Rule 5 guys like Knack that can fill in as spot starters or long relievers.
If Friedman, Kasten, Walter & company are serious about winning a World Series, they will give Friedman the green light to sign 1 or 2 F.A. pitchers and/or make a trade for one. Would also like to see Friedman sign Chapman or revisit the Cardinals about Arenado and maybe even Tommy Edman. That would probably cost the Dodgers 1 or 2 pitchers for sure and probably a position player, maybe a fourth player too. Scenario like this could cost the Dodgers 1 or 2 of Stone or Grove or Sheehan or Frasso or Knack and/or someone from the bullpen. Two good proven starters would be better than 2 prospects?! Upgrade especially of defense and offense at third!