The Houston Astros have signed right-hander Tatsuya Imai to a three-year, $54MM contract, with incentives that can increase his earnings to $3MM annually if he reaches 100 innings. Imai, coming off a stellar 1.92 ERA season in Japan, had drawn interest from several teams but ultimately chose the Astros, who are seeking to bolster their rotation amid uncertainty with free agents like Framber Valdez. The deal includes opt-outs after each year, allowing Imai to pursue larger contracts in the future. The signing brings Houston’s projected payroll to $242MM, just below the luxury tax threshold for 2026.
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Astros Sign Tatsuya Imai
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