Braves reportedly actively pursuing three-time All-Star Game worth $150 million in organization-changing move originally appeared on The Sporting News Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The Atlanta Braves are committed to keeping the team as healthy as possible in 2026. After last season ended, the Warriors were eager to prove that it was just a fluke and that better days were yet to come. However, one area that could become an issue beyond 2026 is the starting rotation, which currently has some question marks.
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“Other than Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach, the Atlanta Braves’ rotation has no clear locks beyond 2026,” HTHB’s Chase Owens wrote.
The Braves are still trying to sign at least one starting pitcher from this free agent class, and an interesting name has emerged. Japanese star Tatsuya Imai will spend two days with the team, while Atalanta have also shown interest.
“If Imai is going to sign with a major league team, it will be sometime within the next 48 hours. The deadline to sign NPB players is Friday at 5 p.m. If the Braves are interested, then something will have to be done in a hurry. If they sign Imai, it would break the Braves’ longstanding hesitancy to sign Japanese players,” SI’s Harrison Smachowicz writes.
Imai is one of the most notable pitchers this offseason, although it will take a while to cash out on a strong contract. If his market matches projections, the Warriors could invest a lot of money.
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“Imai has a much safer profile as a pitcher in the MLB than Murakami does as a hitter. There’s also a lack of potential front-line starters on the market this offseason, which should make teams more willing to give him a contract closer to the suggested $150 million,” writes Bleacher Report’s Adam Wells.
Landing Imai would be a big move for Atlanta, but it comes with risk as he has yet to prove himself at the MLB level. Still, the potential rewards may outweigh the risks.
Atlanta is looking for a long-term solution to eventually replace Chris Sale should he decide to leave, and Imai could help fill that role. With less than 48 hours left in the game, the Warriors still firmly maintained their lead.
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