Alex Speier reports that Shōta Imanaga, a rumored free agent target for the San Francisco Giants, is set to visit his top locations next week as he approaches a decision.
Throughout the offseason, the SF Giants were linked to posting Yokohama DeNA BayStars ace Shōta Imanaga (#12-ranked free agency), particularly after they were unable to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto (#2-ranked free agent). With the Giants attempting to salvage a successful summer following their unsuccessful pursuits of Shohei Ohtani and Yamamoto, speculation is mounting that San Francisco will sign one of the best left-handed starters still available, such as Imanaga or #6-ranked free agent Blake Snell. Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reported that Imanaga is anticipated to visit MLB teams within the United States the following week before making a decision.
“One update to yesterday’s look at potential Red Sox pitching targets post-Yamamoto: Shōta Imanaga is now planning on coming to the US *after* the new year,” Speier tweeted. “With Yamamoto off the market, he’s now fielding offers, with talks expected to extend beyond Xmas.”
Imanaga, who turned thirty in September, led the BayStars in starts with 22 this season. In 148 innings pitched, he had a 2.80 ERA, 174 strikeouts, and just 24 walks. Imanaga completed an amazing rotation with Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic this spring, ahead of the season, which also included Ohtani, Yamamoto, Yu Darvish, and Roki Sasaki. Imanaga pitched six innings (three appearances) and gave up two runs on two solo home runs, seven strikeouts, and no walks.
At NPB 22, Imanaga attained the highest level. Imanaga has a 3.18 ERA over eight seasons in 1002.2 innings pitched (165 games) with 1021 strikeouts and 280 walks. It’s also important to remember that Imanaga’s career statistics are greatly exaggerated due to a terrible 2018 season in which he let up 18 home runs in 84.2 innings thrown and had a 6.80 ERA. Eliminating that one season causes his career NPB ERA to fall from 3.18 to 2.84.
Imanaga possesses an arsenal of four pitches and has demonstrated the capacity to produce whiffs with each one. Yusei Kikuchi is the most recent NPB player to come closest to MLB statistical parity, but even that seems flawed because Imanaga’s arsenal has the potential to be much more potent and it’s difficult to determine how much importance to place on Imanaga’s 2018 campaign. Imanaga has demonstrated exceptional walk and strikeout rates, but he has also occasionally had trouble containing home homers. Imanaga’s profile and Andrew Heaney’s share certain statistical parallels, despite their differing approaches to hitting.
The other dominoes appear to be about to fall, with the two biggest names in free agency off the board. If the SF Giants are serious about bringing Shōta Imanaga into the fold, they will likely welcome him on a formal visit next week as they look to strengthen their starting rotation behind Logan Webb.