On paper, Tatsuya Imai certainly seemed like a potential fit for the Mets.
He’s still just 27 years old, brings a ton of potential upside coming over from Japan, and wasn’t commanding too much in free agency with his market not developing as hoped.
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However, the team reportedly was never serious about pursuing the right-hander before he reached an agreement on a three-year pact with the Astros on Thursday.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, that’s because the Mets weren’t sold on Imai as an impact starter.
With the way his contract with Houston is set up — including incentives based on innings pitched and opt-outs after every year — it seems other clubs may have felt the same way.
Imai pitched to a 1.92 ERA with 178 strikeouts over 162.2 innings last year for the Saitama Seibu Lions.
There are, however, some concerns about the righty making the transition to the States.
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So now, the Mets will have to turn their attention elsewhere if they hope to add to their rotation this offseason.
Feinsand again connected them to Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez, two of the best available in free agency.
It remains to be seen if David Stearns will shell out the money and years the top arms are seeking, though.