There is a growing possibility that Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga, who is in the final stages of posting negotiations, will become Lee Jeong-hoo's teammate.
MLB.com reporter Mark Feinsand reported on the 9th (Korean time) that sources reported that the Giants, Red Sox, Cubs, and Angels were among the final candidates to sign Imanaga. However, according to one official, San Francisco has emerged as the most likely team.'
This official said, “All signs are pointing to the Giants. The Giants narrowly lost the battle to recruit Shohei Otani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Although Imanaga is not a top player with the same level of skill as them, the Giants do not want to miss out again. “He said.
San Francisco, which had raised funds to significantly strengthen its strength this off-season, failed to recruit big players other than Lee Jeong-hoo one after another. Lee Jeong-hoo signed a six-year, $113 million contract on the 16th of last month, but had to watch Otani and Yamamoto, who had also been seeking to recruit him, fall into the arms of their district rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In addition to Jeong-hoo Lee, San Francisco brought in free agent catcher Tom Murphy (2 years, $8.25 million) and acquired Seattle Mariners left-handed ace Robbie Ray through a trade. In Ray's case, there are three years and $73 million remaining on his existing contract. In addition, Ray, the 2021 American League Cy Young Award winner, received Tommy John surgery in May of last year and is out of action until this summer, so it is difficult to consider him a big player.
If they recruit Imanaga, San Francisco can use it as a one-two punch with Logan Webb. Reporter Finesand said, 'The Giants have been active this offseason, recruiting outfielder Lee Jeong-hoo and trading Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray. However, if they bring in Imanaga, they can further strengthen the rotation. Alex Cobb, who is suffering from a hip injury, may not return until June, and Ray may not return until July.'
The current San Francisco rotation consists of Webb, Ross Stripling, Kyle Harrison, and Keaton Wynn. As reporter Finesand mentioned, it is unclear whether Cobb and Ray will join in the first half of the year.
Imanaga's expected ransom was initially expected to be around $75 million, similar to that of Japanese pitcher Sengai Goda, who joined the New York Mets a year ago, but as time passes and competition intensifies, the market estimates that it has soared to over $100 million. .
In an interview with local media last week, San Francisco President Paran Zaidi expressed his intention to recruit him, saying, "I am talking with Imanaga's agent. He pitched really well in Japan. He is a very attractive player in the free agent market."
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