Mets Star Free Agent Target Will Make Decision This Week
After the New York Mets signed Sean Manaea on Sunday, it's uncertain if they have any interest in Shota Imanaga. The Imanaga interest was reported throughout the week as the team looks to add players who can help them compete in 2024 and contend in 2025.
Steve Cohen and the Mets have a clear plan in 2024.
He wants to put a team together that can win if everything goes right, and at the very least, find a few players who can stick around onto their 2025 roster when he opens the checkbook.
This was a tough offseason for New York as they sat out of the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes and didn't try to land Juan Soto in a trade, but next year's free agency class will allow them to add talent that can help them contend for a World Series title.
Of the possible options that could help the Mets compete in '24 and contend in '25, Imanaga is at the top of the list.
The 30-year-old has until Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, to sign a contract. He will return to the Yokohama BayStars if he doesn't agree to a deal before 5 pm on Thursday.
Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports that it's "likely" he'll sign his MLB contract before his posting window closes. There are at least five teams interested as of Sunday evening, according to Morosi.
While the team names who're interested weren't announced, it's possible that New York still values him as a potential target.
Imanaga posted an ERA of 2.80 and struck out 174 in 148 innings pitched for the BayStars. There are concerns about the amount of home runs he could give up at the Major League level, but the rest of his numbers are promising.
Despite the addition of Manaea, the Mets rotation doesn't have much depth. If any of their players get injured, they could be back on the market for a starting pitcher in the middle of the season.
Instead of doing that, Imanaga could come in and give them great innings while learning the ropes in the United States.
