Japanese players are currently dominating the free-agent market. Players like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have nearly half of the league running after them. Now it seems that another compatriot is ready to join the party, with an MLB club already heavily linked to him.

Shota Imanaga, the Samurai Japan ace who started the WBC, is getting ready to make the leap to the States with his posting only a few days away. The City of Brotherly Love eagerly awaits him.

Philadelphia Phillies a major favorite to sign Shota Imanaga

The Philadelphia Phillies have suffered due to a lack of good left-handed pitching. While they made it to the World Series last year and played the NLCS this time, a lack of options in their bullpen has compounded their losses. In the 2023 offseason, they’re trying hard to fill glaring chinks in their armor. 

The Phillies have already re-signed ace Aaron Nola and are now looking at the Samurai Japanese ace Shota Imanaga. One of the deadliest in baseball today, the left-handed pitcher’s tremendous backswing makes him almost impossible to hit.

With a career ERA of 2.96, Imanaga has over 1000 innings to boast. While at 30 he may seem a tad old but as Kodai Senga has shown for the New York Mets, quality players find a way to achieve consistency everywhere they go. The Phillies were 4th in the NL when it came to pitching but during the postseason, most of their bullpen started to underperform. 

Read more: Yoshinobu Yamamoto Free Agency Timeline Emerges Amidst Nearing Winter Meetings, With Teams Battling Over His Signature

Making things interesting, the Fightin’ Phils aren’t the only ones after Imanaga.

Interest in Imanaga is growing with each passing day

Even though the market is filled with pitchers, there are teams that are in need of more than one starter. The Los Angeles Dodgers, for instance. 2023 was so bad for them injury-wise that the Boys in Blue were forced to use rookies and extremely young players. So investing in Shota Imanaga is an obvious choice.

Another big name attached to the star pitcher is the Chicago Cubs. After a long drought, they want to compete for the ultimate championship and take it back to how the last decade looked. By appointing Craig Counsell the Cubs have shown their ambitions and Imanaga would only help in strengthening their team.

With the competition being so close, will the Phillies succeed in bringing the Samurai Japan ace to the City of Brotherly Love?

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