Chicago Cubs Could Land Major Pitching Addition: Tatsuya Imai in the Cards?

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly close to landing a major pitching addition, and this time it could be a name that many fans and analysts have been eyeing for weeks. According to a fresh prediction from CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson, Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai might be the next arm added to the Cubs’ rotation. The projection places the Cubs in a coin-flip situation with the New York Yankees, with Anderson leaning toward Chicago as the likely destination for Imai.

This potential move is huge for the Cubs, especially as they have been actively searching for more rotation stability heading into the 2025 season. Cubs fans, in particular, are likely to embrace the notion of adding an ace-caliber arm from Japan, as it aligns with the “new year, new ace” narrative that could reinvigorate the team’s pitching depth. This addition would certainly stir excitement in Chicago, where the Cubs are desperately hoping for a boost to their pitching staff as the offseason begins to wind down.

The stakes are high for the Cubs, with Imai’s posting window closing soon, on January 2. The window for acquiring the talented Japanese pitcher is rapidly shrinking, adding a sense of urgency to this potential deal.

Key Details: Who is Tatsuya Imai?

Tatsuya Imai is a name that has been generating significant buzz in the baseball world. As a veteran of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, Imai has an impressive skill set that could immediately translate to success in Major League Baseball. A power pitcher with a quality arsenal of pitches, Imai features a fastball that regularly reaches the mid-90s and a “wrong-way slider” that has been particularly effective in Japan. His mix of pitches, including his ability to generate strikeouts and induce weak contact, has caught the attention of many MLB teams.

Imai’s skill set positions him as one of the most sought-after pitchers on the open market. As teams like the Cubs and Yankees continue to search for pitching upgrades, Imai’s ability to fit into multiple team needs makes him a perfect candidate for either club.

CBS Sports’ Projection Links Imai to the Cubs

In a recent article outlining the best landing spots for top remaining free agents, CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson highlighted Tatsuya Imai as one of the most intriguing international pitchers available. Anderson, who has been following Imai’s development closely, described him as a pitcher with an exceptional “quality arsenal.” This includes not only his mid-90s fastball but also his unique slider, which has given batters fits in Japan’s top league.

Anderson’s projection places Imai’s most likely destination between the Cubs and the Yankees. Interestingly, Anderson emphasized that while the usual MLB heavy hitters have been connected to Imai, Chicago and New York seem to make the most sense as suitors. What stands out here is the way CBS Sports has narrowed the field of contenders to just two teams, with Chicago coming out as the front-runner.

The significance of this prediction lies in the fact that it directly ties the Cubs to a high-caliber pitcher like Imai. The Cubs are not simply one of many suitors; they are positioned at the forefront of the race to acquire this promising arm. This is an encouraging sign for Cubs fans who have long awaited a significant rotation upgrade.

What It Means for the Cubs’ Rotation Plans

The Cubs have been in the market for a top-end starting pitcher for several seasons now. While they’ve made moves to strengthen their rotation, such as acquiring pitchers like Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd, they’ve yet to land a true frontline starter that can anchor their pitching staff. According to previous reports, including one from The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma, the Cubs are still actively pursuing that elusive front-of-the-rotation starter.

Currently, the Cubs’ rotation includes a mix of talent, with Shota Imanaga, Cade Horton, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, and either Colin Rea or Javier Assad expected to fill out the starting five. However, with Justin Steele recovering from elbow surgery, there’s a glaring hole in the rotation. Steele’s return sometime during the summer would add some stability, but until then, the Cubs are clearly in need of another impact arm to maintain competitive pitching depth throughout the season.

If Tatsuya Imai can be secured by the Cubs, it would not only boost their rotation depth but would also add a high-upside pitcher to their mix. Imai’s potential to thrive in the MLB could help take pressure off the rest of the staff, which would be critical over the course of a long and grueling season.

Why the Cubs Make Sense as a Landing Spot for Imai

While the Cubs’ need for another starting pitcher is clear, the timing of this potential deal also works in their favor. CBS Sports pointed out that the MLB offseason has been slow-moving so far, with spring training now just around the corner. Many of the top free agents remain unsigned, which leaves open a window for teams like the Cubs to be aggressive and potentially land a player like Imai before other dominoes fall.

Anderson’s specific breakdown of Imai’s pitching arsenal also ties him directly to the Cubs. With a fastball in the mid-90s and a deceptive slider, Imai could fit perfectly into Chicago’s pitching strategy, which has been searching for power arms capable of producing swing-and-miss stuff. This makes the Cubs an ideal fit for Imai’s skill set, as the team looks to add more high-quality arms to its rotation.

What Happens Next? Cubs and Yankees Continue to Fight for Imai

It’s important to note that this projection remains just that—a prediction, not an agreement in place. As of now, the Cubs have not confirmed any deal with Imai, and while they are the front-runners, there’s still a chance that another team, such as the Yankees, could swoop in and land the Japanese pitcher.

If the Cubs are able to land Imai, it could have ripple effects across their offseason plans. Would they still pursue other top-end pitchers, or would Imai’s addition signal a shift in strategy for the Cubs’ front office? Alternatively, if the Cubs miss out on Imai, could the Yankees or another big-spending team step in to steal the pitcher away? The Cubs would be forced to recalibrate their offseason strategy, and fans would be left to wonder what other moves might come next for the team.

Imai’s signing could also signal the start of a more aggressive approach by the Cubs in the free-agent market, particularly when it comes to pitching. With the Cubs in the hunt for rotation stability and an ace-caliber arm, adding Imai would be an important first step in their quest to make a serious postseason push in 2025.

Conclusion: Cubs Could Be the Next Team to Land Imai

As the clock ticks toward the closing of Imai’s posting window, the Cubs are in prime position to secure one of the most coveted pitchers from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league. While they face competition from teams like the Yankees, Chicago’s rotation needs, coupled with Imai’s skill set, makes the Cubs a compelling destination for the right-hander.

If Imai lands with Chicago, it would give the Cubs the type of power arm they’ve been seeking for years, and it would add even more intrigue to what has already been an exciting offseason for the team. Whether or not the Cubs secure Imai, the situation promises to be one of the most compelling storylines of the MLB offseason as the season approaches.