It turns out signing Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami was the exception, and not a permanent change of the unwritten rule stating that the Chicago White Sox never win free-agent sweepstakes.

Right-hander Tatsuya Imai and the Houston Astros finalized their $54 million, three-year contract on Friday. Houston opened a roster spot by designating right-hander Kaleb Ort for assignment. Imai gets a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $16 million this year and $18 million in each of the next two seasons.

While with the Atlanta Braves for the final few months of the season, Kinley used his breaking balls more. From August on, the batting average against his slider was .222, per Tru Media, while the batting average against his curveball stood at .000.

Astros predicted to totally cut ties with $199 million 2022 World Series champion, two-time All-Star after signing Tatsuya Imai originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It may be a new year, but as we enter 2026, the Philadelphia Phillies just put their fans through a familiar test of faith with another failed offseason pursuit of a star Japanese player. Any hope that fans might have had about their chances of landing right-hander Tatsuya Imai ahead of his negotiating window closing was quickly squashed on New Year's Day.