Mets Fans Lose It After Insider Claims Team Were Not Seriously Involved in Talks with Tatsuya Imai: “Deserve to Finish Last Place”

As per Insider Mark Feinsand, the New York Mets were not sold on Tatsuya Imai being an impact starter.

Mets Fans Lose It After Insider Claims Team Were Not Seriously Involved in Talks with Tatsuya Imai: “Deserve to Finish Last Place”

Tatsuya Imai (Image via Bleacher Report)

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Japanese international Tatsuya Imai is joining the Houston Astros. On Wednesday, reports emerged that the team have agreed to bring in the right-handed pitcher on a 3-year, $54 million deal. Fans on social media would lose it after they found out that the New York Mets were not seriously involved in him.

Imai had a splendid season with the Seibu Lions in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in 2025. The 27-year-old pitched with a 1.93 ERA and went 10-5 in 24 games. He also managed to pick up 178 strikeouts.

After being posted on November 19, he had a 45-day negotiation window. As this window was drawing closer to an end on January 2, the Astros jumped in and signed him on the first day of the new year.

After he was posted, Imai attracted several suitors. The New York Mets and the New York Yankees were both reported to be in the mix.

However, as per Jon Heyman, the two teams were not seriously involved in talks. They had an interest in him, but their talks did not progress to an advanced stage. While the Chicago Cubs were also in the mix, the Astros ultimately ended up signing him.

Yankees and Mets were not seriously involved in Imai talks. Cubs were among teams in the mix before Astros won the bidding. Imai is on his way to Houston now.

Jon Heyman on Yankees and Mets’ pursuit of Tatsuya Imai

Imai’s deal with the Astros could increase up to $63 million if incentives are met. The pitcher will receive $3 million more in 2026 if he throws 100 innings. If he does that, his salary for the 2027 and 2028 seasons would be $21 million.

NY Mets fans bash team management after reports claim team were not seriously involved in his talks

The Houston Astros have emerged as the winners of the Tatsuya Imai sweepstakes. The American League side agreed to him bring him on a 3-year deal which includes an opt-out clause after every season.

Tatsuya Imai
Tatsuya Imai (Image via MLB)

While the Astros’ fans are celebrating their new signing, the Mets fans are losing it. On X, many of them trashed the team management and called out their General Manager, David Stearns. One fan wrote, “They deserve to finish last place“, before claiming that the team are never serious about anything.

The Mets are having a major offseason this year. After failing to qualify for the playoffs, the team has lost some of their key players. Stars like Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz have since signed lucrative deals with the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively.

They have brought in some players as well. The team first roped in Devin Williams on a 3-year deal before adding Luke Weaver, whom they are planning to make a starter again. As for the infield, they have signed Jorge Polanco on a 2-year deal.

What are NY Mets’ pitching options for the 2026 season after losing out on Tatsuya Imai?

Tatsuya Imai was one name that the New York Mets were reported to be looking at for bolstering their pitching rotation. However, they have now lost him to the Houston Astros after they did not engage in serious talks with him.

New York Mets were linked with Tatsuya Imai
Tatsuya Imai (Image via Bleacher Report)

The pitching rotation is one area where the Mets are looking to improve. As of now, Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes are seen as two players who are locked in for the roles.

However, there are questions regarding David Peterson and Sean Manaea. While Peterson pitched with a 4.22 ERA, Manaea had an even higher ERA of 5.64. Meanwhile, the team’s ace Kodai Senga also struggled a bit.

After returning from injury, Senga went 7-6 in 22 games and pitched with a 3.02 ERA. Additionally, the future of young pitchers Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong is currently unclear, as both of them have been seen as potential trade chips.

The likes of Ranger Suarez and Framber Valdez are both still available on the market. Just like Imai, the Mets have been linked with these two stars as well. The two of them would likely command a long-term deal. So it will be interesting to see whether David Stearns and the Mets management turn towards them or go for a trade.

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