San Francisco Giants supporters likely experienced a mix of emotions watching the World Series as their long-time rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, celebrated their second consecutive championship title. Key to the Dodgers’ success was Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who dominated Game 7 and earned World Series MVP honors. This certainly didn’t sit well for Giants fans; however, the offseason presents a glimmer of hope, as Japanese free agent Tatsuya Imai has emerged as a potential target for San Francisco and is already drawing comparisons to Dodgers’ ace Yamamoto from competitors.
David Mackinnon, who played in Major League Baseball with the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels in 2022 before spending 2023 in Japan’s NPB, faced both Imai and Yamamoto. Speaking to Imai’s pitching prowess, Mackinnon labeled him “the hardest person to hit with the best stuff,” highlighting the challenge he presented during live batting practice.
With San Francisco rumored to be a leading contender for Imai, anticipation builds among Giants fans. Although Imai has yet to be officially posted by the Saitama Seibu Lions, MLB.com insider Jon Paul Morosi has named the Giants as a notable suitor for the talented pitcher.
Imai boasts an impressive NPB resume since his debut in 2017 at just 19 years old, posting a career 3.15 ERA and 1.267 WHIP across 159 games, with a remarkable 907 strikeouts in nearly 964 innings. His performance has improved significantly over time, exemplified by a stellar 1.92 ERA and 0.892 WHIP in the 2025 season, along with striking out 178 batters in 163.2 innings.
The Giants’ starting rotation is already bolstered by reliable pitchers like Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, alongside promising arms such as Landen Roupp and Hayden Birdsong. However, the addition of Imai, known for his 95+ mph fastball and impressive breaking pitches, presents an opportunity for the Giants to enhance their lineup and rekindle their competitive spirit against the Dodgers.
Revitalizing the Giants-Dodgers rivalry would provide an additional layer of excitement, especially as San Francisco seeks to challenge LA’s current dominance. Imai’s arrival could not only boost the Giants’ rotation but also serve as a symbolic victory over the Dodgers, especially since Los Angeles has often been the go-to destination for elite Japanese players.
As the offseason unfolds, the possibility of securing a top-tier pitcher like Imai is enticing for Giants fans. Pairing him with existing talent and further strategic acquisitions could set the stage for a rejuvenated rivalry as the Giants aim to bridge the competitiveness gap with the Dodgers and restore excitement among their loyal fanbase.