Where Yankees, Mets stood in Tatsuya Imai bidding as Japanese ace makes $63 million decision

The Yankees and Mets both have some rotation questions to answer ahead of the 2026 season, but apparently they didn’t view Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai as part of a potential solution.

They were “not seriously involved” in the bidding war that ultimately ended with the Astros agreeing to terms with the right-hander on a three-year deal that could be worth up to $63 million, according to The Post’s Jon Heyman.

The Cubs were in on the bidding, according to Heyman, before the Astros eventually emerged with a possible solution if Framber Valdez leaves in free agency.

Tatsuya Imai throws a pitch during an April 2025 game. Getty Images

Imai, 27 and a former Japan Pacific League pitcher, will make $18 million per season, with the potential for that number to climb to $21 million if he reaches 80, 90 and 100 innings.

He’ll also have opt-outs after each of the seasons, Heyman reported.

When healthy, the Yankees’ rotation has the potential to become a major strength, but Gerrit Cole is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. 

Clarke Schmidt is, too, and might not be back until after the All-Star break, and Carlos Rodón will be sidelined to start 2026 after undergoing an elbow procedure to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur.

So behind Max Fried, the Yankees — whose offseason has been quiet so far, with the Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger decisions still looming — will need to rely on Luis Gil, Cam Schlittler and Will Warren to continue their emergence as young starters.

The Mets have a trio of young prospects in Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat who could continue to make cases for the 26-man roster if they’re not traded before spring training, but the rest of the returning starters — from Sean Manaea to Kodai Senga — will have to address concerns that emerged during a disappointing 2025.

Houston, though, found a way to add to its rotation after missing the playoffs in 2025.

Imai collected a 2.14 ERA over the last two seasons for the Seibu Lions.

“You have a 27-year-old pitcher who throws 98, 99,” agent Scott Boras said of Imai at the Winter Meetings. “Teams look at that and say, ‘Believe me, Imai wildest dreams I never expected someone to be available like that.”