The post Tatsuya Imai’s follow-up on Zack Wheeler on Instagram has Phillies fans buzzing originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The Philadelphia Phillies re-signed Kyle Schwarber to a $150 million, five-year contract, but they could still participate in some free agency.
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While the Phillies may not need a new starting pitcher, finding a way to bring Tatsuya Imai to Philadelphia would be an incredible way to get off to a good start in the offseason. According to Imai’s Instagram report, there may be some hope.
As shared by Phillies Tailgate on Twitter/X, Imai is following Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, who is just one of a handful of major leaguers the top Japanese pitcher follows on Instagram. While that doesn’t necessarily mean anything, his pursuit of Wheeler has Philly fans excited about the potential signing.
Tatsuya Imai has Phillies fans buzzing by following Zack Wheeler on Instagram
Imai is following many NPB players and major league players from Japan. But notable are the non-Japanese followers. Imai is one of the few current MLB players since Wheeler.
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Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees, Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres and Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates all followed Imai like Wheeler.
These reports from Imai don’t indicate any free agent decisions, but with the Pirates and Padres unlikely to spend big on any free agents this winter, and the Yankees expressing caution about spending big, the Phillies may be the most realistic landing spot among these teams.
The news on Wheeler-Imai’s Instagram doesn’t mean much, but it’s clear from the responses to Phillies Tailgate on Twitter/X that Phillies fans are excited about the idea of signing the top free agent pitcher from Japan this winter.
more: Phillies get good news about Tatsuya Imai’s interest in free agency
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The Phillies have been linked to Imai at times this offseason, and while they don’t need starting pitching and probably don’t want to go over the luxury tax threshold, it would be worthwhile to dip their toe into Japanese free agency by signing someone like Imai.
Imai is an excellent pitcher who is coming off an impressive 2025 season with the Seibu Lions. He posted a 1.92 ERA in 24 starts, struck out 178 in 163.1 innings, allowed just six homers, and had a WHIP of .892.
The Phillies and Imai have strong ties, and Wheeler’s Instagram following has sparked heated discussions among fans. But, nothing is even close, nor is there any indication that Imai is singing with the Phillies or any other team where the players he’s following play for.