Do Tigers have unique opportunity with another star free agent's market stalling?

With just a few days left before his posting window closes on Jan. 2, Tatsuya Imai is still a free agent. He's the most prominent Japanese pitcher making the move to MLB this offseason, but something — maybe underwhelming stats compared to Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, or hesitation to take a risk on a relatively unknown quantity — is keeping teams from flocking.

Imai admitted himself that "there actually aren't many concrete options on the table yet," but the latest development revealed the White Sox have entered the picture (though Mark Feinsand of MLB.com characterized them as long shots).

The White Sox have already signed Munetaka Murakami, and could develop into a real AL Central threat if he can make some adjustments during his rookie season. The Tigers shouldn't let a promising pitcher end up in their division but not on their team too.

With how little time is left before Imai has to sign, the Tigers could get him at a discount. The two years and $34 million Murakami got with the White Sox is money that Detroit absolutely could've spent; if it's looking like Imai's not going to get much more, the Tigers should be involved.

Tigers have the perfect opportunity to pounce on Tatsuya Imai as his posting window inches closer

Apart from Tarik Skubal, the Tigers have a rotation filled with guys who have been injured (Reese Olson), guys who are still relatively untested (Troy Melton), and guys who are No. 3-4 starters at best (Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, Drew Anderson). Imai would be a wild card, and the transition to MLB is bound to be rocky, but Tigers fans want to see the front office take a risk for once, especially if it would be budget-friendly.

Imai has eight seasons of professional experience under his belt, and he pitched 163 2/3 innings for a 1.92 ERA last season. He's not Yamamoto or Sasaki's caliber, and he has less experience than Shota Imanaga did when he came over, but 2026 will only be Imai's age-28 season, and he just needs somewhere to land.

There was a time during this offseason when the Tigers had been connected to Ranger Suarez and Michael King, and then they pivoted to Anderson. Even though the rotation looks crowded right now, they've left the door open to bumping Anderson to the bullpen, and signing Imai would make them look like they're actually serious about improving their rotation — and maybe even installing and developing an ace in a very possible Skubal-less future.