The Los Angeles Dodgers have been a top landing spot for the best international free agents over the last few years, bringing in both Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki to bolster their lineup.
This year is no different for the Dodgers, as they’ve been heavily linked to Munetaka Murakami, arguably the most coveted international free agent available. One international player, though, is going against the grain.
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The Saitama Seibu Lions posted pitcher Tatsuya Imai for MLB consideration this offseason, and he has publicly stated he has no interest in signing with the Dodgers. As a matter of fact, he wants to beat them.
“I want to beat them,” Imai said. “Beating a team like that and becoming world champions would be the most valuable thing in my life.”
Imai revealed he doesn’t want to join a team with Japanese players, stating he wants to integrate himself into MLB without the help of his international teammates.
“(If there were Japanese people) they’d just tell you anything if you asked, right?” Imai said. “I don’t really want that. In a way, I want to experience that survival vibe, you know, and when facing cultural differences, making how I overcome them on my own one of the fun parts.”
Imai has played professionally in Japan since 2017, logging 189 appearances and 1,077.2 innings pitched. He has a 3.07 career ERA, and has been especially dominant since the beginning of 2022, posting an ERA below 3.00 in each season.
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His 2025 season was especially impressive, as he had a 1.92 ERA through 24 starts and threw five complete games — three of which were shutouts.
The Dodgers don’t especially need starting pitching with their star-studded rotation, so Imai may not have been an option to begin with. However, his declaration against the Dodgers is sure to make for some interesting matchups in the upcoming season and beyond.
Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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One Response
Sounds like he is not a team player… Hope he signs with the Rockies so he can learn the hard way! :p