NEW YORK (AP) — Proper-hander Tatsuya Imai is getting into Main League Baseball’s posting system and can be out there to groups to signal as a free agent from Wednesday by Jan. 2.
He joins power-hitting nook infielder Munetaka Murakami, whose 45-day window to signal expires Dec. 22.
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A 27-year-old right-hander, Imai went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA this season with the Pacific League’s Seibu Lions. He struck out 178 batters in 163 2/3 innings.
Imai is 58-45 with a 3.15 ERA in eight seasons with Seibu, with 907 strikeouts in 963 2/3 innings. He’s a three-time All-Star.
Imai pitched eight innings of a mixed no-hitter towards Fukuoka on April 18. He struck out 17 towards Yokohama on June 17, breaking Daisuke Matsuzaka’s earlier staff document of 16 from 2004.
Underneath MLB’s posting settlement with Nippon Skilled Baseball, the posting payment can be 20% of the primary $25 million of a significant league contract, together with earned bonuses and choices. The proportion drops to 17.5% of the following $25 million and 15% of any quantity over $50 million. There can be a supplemental payment of 15% of any earned bonuses, wage escalators and exercised choices.
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