New York Post | Andrew Crane: Japanese starter Tatsuya Imai agreed to terms with the Astros Thursday, per Jon Heyman. The Post writer reports that the 27-year-old’s deal is for three years and has a base
value of $54 million with escalators that could raise the overall value to $63 million. The contract also includes opt-outs after each season, giving Imai flexibility to re-enter the market should he exceed expectations. Due to the posting system between MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball, Imai had until Friday to agree to terms with a new team. Despite earlier reports speculating that the Yankees were among the right-hander’s suitors, the team was “not seriously involved” in his bidding war, per Heyman, with the Cubs appearing to be the runner-up.
New York Post | Jon Heyman: ($) The Yankees have checked on former Blue Jays middle infielder Bo Bichette in free agency, Heyman reports. The Dodgers and Cubs are interested as well, with both the Yankees and Cubs potentially pursuing a longer-term option at second base while they shop their incumbents, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Nico Hoerner. The Blue Jays are also expected to be in play for their homegrown star, as are the Red Sox. Heyman also reports that the Yankees made an official offer to Cody Bellinger this week. The outfielder, who had an excellent campaign in New York last year, is believed to be the Yankees’ top offseason priority.
MLB.com | David Adler: With Trent Grisham having accepted the Yankees’ qualifying offer for 2026, a deeper dive on how he found success in 2025 — and if it’s sustainable. The center fielder significantly changed his offensive profile to become more pull-happy, taking advantage of Yankee Stadium’s short right field porch to launch 34 homers, 26 of which were pulled. That tactic, along with his ability to consistently put the ball in the air, should allow him to continue his offensive surge in his age-29 season.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: A trip down memory lane, recalling the best debuts in Yankees history. Tyler Austin and Aaron Judge’s back-to-back homers in their first at-bats takes the top spot. First impressions by legends including Joe DiMaggio and Yogi Berra make the list, as well as some less heralded names like Russ Van Atta, who tossed a shutout while collecting four hits in his first game. The most recent entry is Jasson Domínguez’s long ball on his first swing against future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander back in 2023.
