Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai snubs Dodgers as high-stakes MLB free agency window opens
Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai has chosen to compete against the Los Angeles Dodgers rather than join them, as he navigates his MLB free agency window. The Dodgers have successfully signed several Japanese stars, including Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki, but Imai is determined to seek a different path in Major League Baseball. Imai, who is currently in a 45-day posting window, stated he’d prefer to beat the Dodgers rather than play alongside them, highlighting his desire to achieve a world championship victory against them.
Imai’s decision comes on the heels of the Dodgers’ successful acquisition of top-tier Japanese talent, including Yamamoto’s World Series MVP win, Sasaki’s critical outs, and Ohtani’s Game 7 start. However, Imai’s remarks suggest a desire to take on the Dodgers rather than join their ranks, as he has his sights set on making an impact in MLB.
During a recent interview with Japan’s TV Asahi program, Imai expressed his desire to face the Dodgers rather than be a teammate, stating,