In the first signing of the year, the Astros signed RHP Tatsuya Imai, which signals that lefty Framber Valdez will not be coming back. I like the move for Houston, giving them depth in their rotation which includes Michigan native Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier and Lance McCullers Jr. 

Outside of Kenta Maeda, the Tigers haven’t made progress in adding Japanese position players or pitchers over the last decade. It’s not for a lack of trying, but Detroit hasn’t really been viewed as a destination for Asian players. That could change, though, with how Southeast Michigan’s population has shifted over the last 20 years. Sometimes, all it takes is one player.