Immy is too expensive! There is a circumstantial evidence that SF ace was abandoned, then the No. 1 mid- to low-priced KBO reverse export?

Dec 01, 2025

Immy is too expensive! There is a circumstantial evidence that SF ace was abandoned, then the No. 1 mid- to low-priced KBO reverse export?
The San Francisco Giants are unlikely to compete for Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai. Photo =Seibu Lions Club X Account



Contrary to expectations, it was predicted that the San Francisco Giants would not jump into the recruitment of Japanese pitchers, who are considered top-class FA starters.

ESPN reporter Buster Olney said on the 1st (Korea time) 'The Giants have been constantly talking about Tatsuya Ima, a Japanese FA pitcher, but they are mainly looking for an inexpensive pitching market'In other words, the Giants imply that they are not seeking to recruit very expensive pitchers like Imai.

According to local media reports, San Francisco leaders Greg Johnson, President Buster Posey, and General Manager Jack Minasian all have negative opinions on bringing FA pitchers on an ultra-long-term contract.




Immy is too expensive! There is a circumstantial evidence that SF ace was abandoned, then the No. 1 mid- to low-priced KBO reverse export?
Seibu Lions Imai Datsuya. Sports Chosun DB
San Francisco has a payroll of $218.12 million this year, ranking 13th out of 30 teams. However, the financial burden has increased as the payroll has maintained more than $200 million for the past three consecutive years. There are five players who have been tied to a large long-term contract since next year, Matt Chapman (2025-2030, six-year $151 million), Willy Adames (2025-2031, seven-year $182 million), Rafael Devers (2024-2033, ten-year $313.59 million), Lee Jung-hoo (2024-2029, six-year $113 million), and Logan Webb (2024-2028, five-year $90 million).

On top of that, reporter Olney says he is feeling burdened by Imai's ransom, which is expected to easily exceed $100 million. The expected contract size of Imai seen by leading local media is $150 million for six years for MLBTR, $154 million for seven years for The Athletic, and $135 million for six years for ESPN.

However, local media view San Francisco as a fairly good club for Imai. The background was that it was easy to come and go from Japan because it was on the Pacific coast, that there was no `Japanese player' that Imai put forward as one of the conditions for joining, and that Imai was a rival club of the Los Angeles Dodgers, which declared to be the target of overthrow.




In a recent interview with TV Asahi 'Bodo Station', Imai said, "Of course, it would be fun to play with Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Rocky Sasaki, but if I beat a team like the Dodgers and won the World Series, it would be the most valuable thing in my life. Rather, I want to destroy the Dodgers" he once said.

Immy is too expensive! There is a circumstantial evidence that SF ace was abandoned, then the No. 1 mid- to low-priced KBO reverse export?
이마이 다쓰야. Sports Chosun DB
It is predicted that San Francisco will actively recruit Imai because it cannot be denied that it is the team that best fits this structure. In fact, however, the team's leadership responds that the high ransom is burdensome. FFA starters higher than or similar to Imai, Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez, can also be off San Francisco's radar.

For this reason, there are reports that they are interested in Merrill Kelly and Jack Gallen, the mid- to low-priced FA starters.




MLBTR said 'The Giants already have certain ace pitchers Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, so the rotation is better than most teams. In addition, Landon Loop, who has grown this year, can also rely on him as a main starter. President Buster Posey cited strengthening the rotation as a priority for this offseason.

In the end, San Francisco is expected to negotiate with proven ace Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez and Michael King. If they are not, they may prefer a two- to three-year contract with a second- or third-grade starter. It is this case that Justin Verland was brought in for $15 million a year this year and used it very well.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.