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I would not be surprised to see Imai have a similar arc as Imanaga did, posting his best season as a rookie, perhaps at a bit lower volume, maybe 25 starts and 140 innings. Imai averaged 24 starts and 165 innings a year in his last three with the Seibu Lions. If he gives the Astros that and then is good enough to opt out, I think it’s a win for the team, though counting the nearly $10 million they’ll pay Seibu as a posting fee changes that math a little. To repeat myself, any time a starting pitcher wants to turn a multi-year deal into a one-year deal, he has my blessing. (More on this idea later this month.)
