Astros Land Japanese Ace Tatsuya Imai with $63M Splash

The Deal That Shook the AL West

HOUSTON — Minutes after the ink dried inside Minute Maid Park, the whispers circling the winter meetings became a roar: Tatsuya Imai, the 28-year-old right-hander who carved up hitters in the Pacific League, is now an Astro.

General manager Dana Brown confirmed a three-year pact worth up to $63 million, crowning Imai the richest Japanese-born pitcher to change clubs since Kodai Senga’s jump to the Mets a year ago.

Ace in Transit

Imai’s flight from Narita touched down at Bush Intercontinental just after dawn. Cameras flashed. Fans waved Japanese and American flags. One held a sign: “Y’all means ALL* — *especially 95-mph splitters.”

“I chose Houston because they expect to win the World Series every season,” Imai said through interpreter Kenji Katori. “I want the ball in October.”

Scouts gush over a fastball that sits 96 mph and a split-finger that disappears below the knees. Last season for the Seibu Lions he logged a 2.11 ERA and 182 strikeouts in 162 innings, numbers that echo countryman Yu Darvish’s prime.

Inside the Numbers

• Guaranteed money: $57 million
• Incentives: $6 million for innings and awards
• Opt-out after year two if he finishes top-three in Cy Young voting
• Posting fee paid to Seibu: additional $9.85 million

Rotation Ripple Effect

With Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez already atop the staff, Houston now owns a three-headed monster that projects to give opposing lineups nightmares. Manager Joe Espada refused to name an opening-day starter, smiling: “Good problem to have.”

What Comes Next

Imai will wear No. 21, the same digits he dazzled in back home. He’s slated to debut in a spring-training game against the Cardinals on Feb. 26. Until then, Houston fans can dream of fastballs under Texas lights and a trophy parade that might just roll down Crawford Street once more.