As some people would say, the Los Angeles Dodgers have ‘ruined baseball’ after winning the World Series. But it looks like the Dodgers are nowhere near slowing down with their next goal being the three-peat. And with that in mind, they are going for a top Japanese who is dubbed as the ‘next Yoshinobu Yamamoto’.

In a recent post by Talkin’ Baseball, they talked about Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai. They wrote, “Japanese RHP Tatsuya Imai will officially be posted this offseason, allowing MLB teams to sign him… The 27-year-old Imai posted a career-best 1.92 ERA and 0.892 WHIP in 2025. Jeff Passan wrote in September that he could receive anywhere from $80M to $200M+.”

Tatsuya Imai, a 27-year-old right-hander from Japan’s Seibu Lions, has officially entered MLB’s posting system. Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 154 pounds, Imai defies the traditional frame of a power pitcher. His posting opens a 45-day window for Major League teams to negotiate, following an eight-season NPB career marked by steady growth and command.

In 2025, Imai went 10–5 with a 1.92 ERA over 163.2 innings, striking out 27 percent of hitters. Across his career, he holds a 3.15 ERA with a 1.94 strikeout-to-walk ratio, showcasing consistent control and durability. His mid-90s fastball, low arm slot, and deceptive slider—responsible for a 45 percent whiff rate- have earned him comparisons to World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Analysts project Imai to sign a deal worth around $200 million, reflecting his value as Japan’s next export. If the Dodgers, already loaded with stars, pursue him, fan reactions could be explosive across baseball. Many believe another blockbuster signing by the Los Angeles Dodgers would further fuel the debate about their spending power and growing dominance.

If Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the Dodgers’ first masterpiece, Tatsuya Imai could be their encore. Los Angeles already owns the game’s spotlight, and another Japanese ace would only brighten it further. At this rate, the Dodgers aren’t just winning baseball—they’re quietly buying the script too.

Dodgers fans push the team to make another big signing after the Yamamoto comparison

The Los Angeles Dodgers just can’t help themselves, can they? Fresh off celebrating Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s brilliance and another championship run, fans are already craving their next headline. Now, whispers around the league have turned into shouts, with many urging the Dodgers to chase Japan’s newest sensation, Tatsuya Imai. Because apparently, one generational Japanese ace just isn’t enough for baseball’s most spoiled rotation.

“I’ll save everyone the trouble. If the Dodgers offer him, then he’s going there.” That comment sums up how Japanese stars now see Los Angeles as the ultimate destination. Even Roki Sasaki, once flirting with the Padres in practice gear, chose Dodger blue instead. At this point, the Dodgers aren’t just signing talent; they’re shaping Japan’s baseball dream pipeline to Hollywood.

“The Dodgers are loading up the Japan national team,” one fan joked, and it’s hard to argue. Every major Japanese player posted lately seems to have Los Angeles somewhere in their rumor mill. From Yoshinobu Yamamoto to Roki Sasaki, the links turned into signatures and star-studded headlines. Now, even Munetaka Murakami and Tatsuya Imai are rumored fits, keeping that pipeline wide open. For fans, it’s starting to feel less like a coincidence and more like a full-on recruitment drive.

“Probably a better pickup for Dodgers than Murakami,” one fan said, and numbers support it. Murakami’s strikeout rate nears 30 percent, and his walk rate has dipped sharply this season. Defensively, his metrics at third base remain below league average, raising more questions than excitement. Meanwhile, Tatsuya Imai’s 1.92 ERA and 27 percent strikeout rate make him a proven performer. For a team built on precision and depth, Imai’s reliability fits the Dodgers’ blueprint far better.

“Come to papa,” wrote a fan named Annoying Ohtani Fan, perfectly living up to the name. A devoted Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani supporter, he knows star power attracts star talent in Los Angeles. With Ohtani leading the charge, another Japanese ace like Tatsuya Imai could easily be swayed. After all, a 1.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts make him a perfect Hollywood addition.

“He’s going to the Dodgers, we don’t need to act like it’s not a forgone conclusion.” That fan sentiment has almost become a prophecy whenever a Japanese star hits the posting market. Tatsuya Imai’s 1.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts make him an obvious fit for Los Angeles. At this point, it feels less like speculation and more like another Dodger inevitability in motion.

If history tells us anything, where there’s a Japanese ace, the Dodgers soon follow. Yoshinobu Yamamoto proved the blueprint works, and Tatsuya Imai might be next in line. At this point, the Dodgers aren’t chasing talent; they’re just expanding their Tokyo branch in style.