Braves target Tatsuya Imai could bolster rotation.
With the January 2nd posting deadline quickly approaching, Japanese star Tatsuya Imai continues to meet with MLB teams, and the Atlanta Braves appear to be among the clubs expressing interest in the 27-year-old right-hander.
According to MLB insider Guarav Vedak, there is growing interest from Atlanta's front office in adding Imai to their rotation.
"I'm hearing that there is interest in Imai Tatsuya by the Braves," Vedak reported. "Deadline looming. No penalty to sign, and high upside, just risk."
Braves' Offseason So Far
The Braves are coming off a disappointing 2025 season in which they finished 76-86 and missed the playoffs.
President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos has been busy this offseason trying to get Atlanta back into contention in the NL East.
Atlanta has already made several key moves this winter.
The Braves re-signed closer Raisel Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million deal while also adding setup man Robert Suarez on a three-year, $45 million contract, giving them one of the best late-inning duos in baseball.
They also brought back shortstop Ha-Seong Kim on a one-year, $20 million deal, signed outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to a two-year contract, and acquired utility infielder Mauricio Dubón from the Astros.
What Imai Would Bring to Atlanta
While the Braves have checked off most of their offseason priorities, one area they have yet to address is the starting rotation.
Atlanta already has Chris Sale and Spencer Strider at the top, but questions remain about the depth behind them.
Sale was dominant when healthy in 2025, posting a 2.58 ERA over 125 innings before being sidelined with an injury, while Strider struggled in his return from UCL surgery and saw his velocity dip throughout the season.
Adding a proven arm like Imai would help stabilize a rotation that dealt with multiple injuries last year.
Imai had a breakout 2025 season with the Saitama Seibu Lions in Nippon Professional Baseball.
The three-time NPB All-Star posted a 1.92 ERA with 178 strikeouts across 163 2/3 innings while walking just 45 batters and allowing only six home runs.
What makes Imai intriguing is his unique pitch mix, including a mid-90s fastball with plus command and a "wrong-way slider" that breaks to the arm side instead of the glove side.
That pitch generated a 47 percent whiff rate in the NPB last season.
At 27 years old, Imai profiles as a mid-rotation starter with the potential to develop into something more if his stuff translates well to the majors, and because he is coming from the NPB posting system, there is no qualifying offer attached.
For the Braves, signing Imai would give them another reliable arm to slot behind Sale and Strider while providing insurance in case of injuries.
With young starters like Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep still developing, adding a veteran from overseas could be exactly what Atlanta needs.
Imai has until January 2nd at 5 p.m. ET to sign with an MLB team.
Multiple teams including the Yankees, Cubs, and Phillies have also been linked to the right-hander, so the Braves will need to act fast.