Report: Imai, Okamoto meeting with teams ahead of signing deadline
Japanese players Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto are meeting with MLB clubs in Los Angeles this week ahead of their signing deadlines, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
Imai's window to negotiate with MLB teams expires at 5 p.m. Friday, while Okamoto has until Sunday to discuss a potential deal.
The 27-year-old Imai is one of the top starting pitchers available in free agency after posting a 1.92 ERA and 9.8 K/9 in 163 2/3 innings for Japan's Seibu Lions last season. The right-hander has spent the past eight campaigns with the Lions, authoring a 3.15 ERA and 1.27 WHIP.
Imai has reportedly drawn interest from the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees this winter.
Meanwhile, Okamoto has been connected to the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays.
Although injuries limited Okamoto to 77 games in 2025, he recorded a .992 OPS with 15 homers and 51 RBIs. The 29-year-old offers defensive versatility at both first and third base and owns a career .277/.361/.521 slash line in 11 NPB seasons with the Yomiuri Giants.
If Imai or Okamoto don't reach an agreement with an MLB club before their negotiating windows expire, they'll return to Nippon Professional Baseball for the 2026 campaign.