Yankees’ Best Target Predicted to Sign New $200 Million Deal
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This Yankees target just got a massive contract prediction.
The New York Yankees have a solid starting rotation. Luis Gil, Max Fried, Will Warren, and Cam Schlitter finished the 2025 season healthy, and all have a good shot at being in the rotation to kick off the 2026 season. However, Garrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt are recovering from their respective injuries and are expected to return in 2026.
With so many injuries, it makes sense to add a healthy body to the mix. Tatsuya Imai was posted on Monday, November 10th, 2025. With the clock ticking, the new free agent landed a huge prediction.
Tatsuya Imai Predicted to Sign Eight-Year Deal
Jon Heyman of the New York Post released a new article on the top 40 MLB free agents. Alongside each entry is a contract prediction, as well as any nuggets about potential frontrunners.
In assessing this year’s free agency class, Heyman had this to say.
“There’s no Juan Soto in this free agent market, and certainly no Shohei Ohtani,” Heyman wrote on November 10, 2025. “The list is without an all-time great for the first time in three years, but it does contain a clear No. 1 guy (Kyle Tucker), an additional trio of interesting repeat positional free agents (Pete Alonso, Cody Bellinger and Alex Bregman), a smattering of frontline starters (led by Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, and, assuming he’s posted, Tatsuya Imai) and a real strength at the back end (Edwin Díaz, Robert Suarez, Ryan Helsley, Raisel Iglesias, Kenley Jansen and more).”
Number two on Heyman’s list is Imai. The scribe predicts that he will be a popular free agent and lists the two frontrunners to land the starter.
“After Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s heroics, this 27-year-old with big stuff and a 2.10 ERA over four years should be popular,” Heyman wrote. “The Yankees like him, and the Dodgers like most Japanese stars, which could be a good start. $200M, 8 years.”
It’s no surprise that the Los Angeles Dodgers could also be in the mix for the potential ace. It helps their case to already boast the likes of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the rotation.
Tatsuya Imai vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Ryan Garcia of the Fireside Yankees podcast dug into why he believes Imai would be a good target for the organization to consider. For starters, he compared him to other pitchers who have crossed the pond to play in the MLB.
Yamamoto, Kodai Senga, and Shota Imanaga are the three players he compared Imai to. For all four pitchers, he listed their stat lines from their last year in NPB before they came over.
Of the four pitchers, Yamamoto has the best FIP, followed by Imai. For those unfamiliar, FIP is Fielding Independent Pitching. According to the MLB website, FIP is similar to ERA; however, “it focuses solely on the events a pitcher has the most control over — strikeouts, walks, hit-by-pitches and home runs.”
Yamamoto’s FIP is 44, while Imai’s is 66, Senga’s is 69, and Imanaga’s is 74.
Imai is the NPB’s ‘Whiff Master’
In a separate social media post, Garcia highlighted another statistic that should excite Yankees fans at the possibility of Imai joining the team.
“His 32% Whiff% in 2025 was the highest mark ever recorded in a season for a qualified NPB pitcher since this was tracked in 2014,” Garcia wrote on X on November 10th. “Also, the only qualified NPB starter to ever record a Swinging Strike% >= 15%.”
To calculate Whiff, you divide the number of swings and misses by the total number of swings. Once you have that figure, you multiply it by 100 to get a Whiff percentage.
If the Yankees could manage to land the “Whiff Master” (nickname given by me), that could be a game-changer for their rotation.
THE ENTIRE NFL WORLD ERUPTS: Erin Andrews Leaves Studio Speechless After Declaring “Jalen Hurts Is This Nation’s New Quarterback”
The NFL world has erupted in chaos following one of the boldest statements ever made on live television. During a recent post-game discussion, veteran sportscaster Erin Andrews left the entire studio speechless when she looked straight into the camera and asked,
“Is it time for America to move on from Patrick Mahomes?”
Moments later, she doubled down by calling Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts “this nation’s new quarterback,” a comment that instantly set social media ablaze and sent shockwaves through the football community. What began as a routine post-game segment quickly escalated into one of the most polarizing debates in recent NFL memory.
“It wasn’t meant to disrespect Mahomes,” Andrews later clarified, “but it’s time we talk about what’s really happening on the field. The league is changing, and Jalen Hurts is part of that change.”
The statement came after a disappointing performance by Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in their loss to the Eagles. Analysts had already been questioning whether the Chiefs’ dynasty was beginning to crack, but Andrews’ comment poured gasoline on the fire. Within minutes, hashtags like
Supporters of Mahomes were quick to defend him, highlighting his two Super Bowl victories and record-breaking achievements. “You don’t just move on from the best player in football,” one fan wrote. Others, however, agreed with Andrews, arguing that Mahomes’ recent struggles show he’s no longer untouchable.
“Jalen Hurts is fearless, calculated, and brings a unique balance of power and poise to this league,” Andrews said later in the broadcast. “This isn’t about disrespect — it’s about recognizing who’s leading the new generation.”
The controversy didn’t end there. Several analysts on the panel reportedly tried to steer the conversation away, but the clip had already gone viral. Sports talk shows replayed the moment repeatedly, with some calling it
Former players also weighed in. Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe tweeted, “Respect to Erin, but you don’t replace greatness just because someone’s having a rough month. Mahomes is still HIM.” Meanwhile, retired quarterback
The debate has since evolved beyond football performance and into a cultural discussion about legacy, hype, and the media’s role in shaping public perception. Some critics accused Andrews of intentionally sparking controversy to drive ratings, while others praised her for “saying what everyone else was thinking.”
Inside NFL circles, the reaction was reportedly mixed. Sources close to the Chiefs said Mahomes was “aware” of the comment but refused to engage publicly, focusing instead on preparing for next week’s matchup. The Eagles organization, on the other hand, reportedly viewed the statement as validation of Hurts’ leadership and ascension as one of the league’s most dominant stars.
Jalen Hurts himself responded humbly when asked about the viral moment during a post-practice interview:
“I appreciate the kind words,” Hurts said. “But I’m not here to replace anyone. Patrick Mahomes is one of the greatest ever. My focus is on leading my guys, one game at a time.”
Despite his modesty, the internet has already dubbed this debate the “Quarterback Crown War.” Fans and analysts are now framing every upcoming Chiefs-Eagles matchup as a symbolic clash between the old guard and the new face of the league.
As of now, neither ESPN nor Fox Sports has issued an official statement regarding Andrews’ comments. Still, the moment has cemented itself as one of the most memorable live-television exchanges in recent NFL history. Whether you view it as bold truth-telling or unnecessary provocation, Erin Andrews has undeniably reignited a nationwide conversation about what greatness means — and who defines it.
With the NFL season heating up and the Chiefs under growing pressure, all eyes are now on Patrick Mahomes. Can he silence the critics and remind the world why he’s considered the face of modern football? Or has Erin Andrews’ declaration marked the beginning of a new chapter in NFL history — one where Jalen Hurts becomes the symbol of a changing era?
Whatever the answer, one thing is certain: Erin Andrews has set the football world on fire, and this debate isn’t cooling down anytime soon.
