Report: Yankees eyeing Imai, have Bellinger as No. 1 target
The New York Yankees are looking to make a statement in free agency to keep up with the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox in the AL East.
The Yankees are interested in signing Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai and targeting outfielder Cody Bellinger on the open market, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Imai is expected to arrive in the United States in early December to meet with several MLB clubs, sources told baseball reporter Francys Romero.
The 27-year-old made headlines this week when he said he would rather beat the Los Angeles Dodgers than join a team that already employs fellow countrymen Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki. The Dodgers beat the Yankees in the 2024 World Series to secure their first of two straight titles.
Imai has until Jan. 2 to sign a contract after being posted by the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball. He's expected to ink a lucrative multi-year deal after recording a 1.92 ERA with 0.89 WHIP and 178 strikeouts in 162 2/3 innings in 2025.
Bellinger is the Yankees' No. 1 target, reports Heyman. Although New York has also reportedly checked in on top free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, the club appears to prefer Bellinger due to the 30-year-old's versatility and proven success in New York.
Bellinger slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 homers, 98 RBIs, and 4.9 fWAR over 152 games this year in his only campaign in the Bronx.
The Yankees haven't made a big move yet this offseason. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays reportedly landed top starter Dylan Cease on a seven-year, $210-million deal, and the Red Sox traded for three-time All-Star Sonny Gray.