Shōta Imanaga Emerges as an Intriguing MLB Free Agent Target

The 2023–2024 MLB free agent class became more captivating with the posting of Shōta Imanaga by the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in late November.

Imanaga, a left-handed pitcher, had an impressive season, boasting a 7-4 record with a stellar 2.80 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 174 strikeouts in 148 innings pitched. He also represented Team Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, showcasing his skills on a global stage, including starting against the United States in the Gold Medal Game.

Imanaga’s strong performance has garnered widespread interest from MLB teams. While waiting for Yoshinobu Yamamoto to make his decision on a new team, Imanaga’s market has been relatively quiet. However, with Yamamoto now off the board, Imanaga’s market is expected to heat up as his January 11 signing deadline approaches, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Several teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, and New York Mets, have been linked to Imanaga this offseason. However, it remains to be seen if certain teams, like the Dodgers and Red Sox, who have made recent pitching acquisitions, are still actively pursuing Imanaga.

Imanaga is projected to command a contract of around $17 million annually for five years. The team that signs him will also be required to pay a posting fee to the BayStars. The fee amounts to 20% of the contract’s first $25 million, 17.5% of the next $25 million, and 15% of any additional dollars.

Throughout his career with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, Imanaga has established himself as a reliable back-end starter and innings eater. Over eight seasons, he compiled a 64-50 record with a commendable 3.18 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 1,002.2 innings pitched across 165 games.

While Imanaga may not be a front-line ace, his skills and durability make him a valuable asset for any team in need of pitching depth. As the January deadline approaches, the race to secure Imanaga’s talents will undoubtedly intensify, adding further excitement to the MLB free agent market.