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Cubs Poised to Land Top Japanese Pitcher Imai

12/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Chicago Cubs are in a strong position to sign Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone says the team has not met with Imai.
Insider Jack Curry says the Yankees' connection to Imai does not exist, while sources say Imai favors coastal cities.
Imai posted a 1.92 ERA in Nippon Professional Baseball, bolstering his status as a top starter.

History

Historical Context

In 1995, Hideo Nomo made history by becoming the first Japanese player to achieve significant success in Major League Baseball (MLB) after signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His impressive 2.54 ERA opened the floodgates for over 60 Japanese players to join MLB, reshaping recruitment strategies and leading to the establishment of the posting system in 1998, which facilitated player transfers between Japan and the U.S.

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Story summary

The Chicago Cubs are in a strong position to sign Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone says the team has not met with Imai.
Insider Jack Curry says the Yankees' connection to Imai does not exist, while sources say Imai favors coastal cities.
Imai posted a 1.92 ERA in Nippon Professional Baseball, bolstering his status as a top starter.

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