Dylan Cease’s massive $210 million commitment with the Blue Jays didn’t ignite the pitching market, but deadlines tend to spur action.
One day ahead of Tatsuya Imai’s posting window closing, the Japanese standout is now off the board after reportedly signing a three-year deal with the Astros that includes opt-outs after each season and can max out at $63 million.
Imai was one of the most intriguing arms available in free agency coming off his best year in Nippon Professional Baseball, a season in which he recorded career bests in ERA (1.92), WHIP (0.89), strikeout rate (27.8%) and walk rate (7%), among other categories. Standing a tick under 6-feet tall, Imai does not possess the typical build of a frontline starter, but it certainly didn’t hurt his market that teams just saw 5-foot-10-inch Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto dominate the MLB postseason en route to winning World Series MVP honors.
[Astros sign Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai]
The full worth of Imai’s deal is decrease than projected, however his common annual worth (AAV) trails solely Yamamoto’s ($27 million AAV on a 12-year, $325 million take care of the Dodgers) and Masahiro Tanaka’s ($22 million AAV on a seven-year, $155 million take care of the Yankees) for the very best for a Japanese-born pitcher. If Imai acknowledges his upside in Houston and appears like probably the greatest pitchers in MLB, he can decide out whereas nonetheless in his 20s and search a longer-term pact.
Will his signing lastly catalyze the slow-moving beginning pitching market in free company? That continues to be to be seen. The highest arms on this yr’s free-agent crop don’t pack the identical punch as final yr’s class, however there are nonetheless a handful of obtainable starters who can slot right into a contending rotation and probably begin video games in October.
With Stop, Michael King and now Imai off the board, listed below are the highest remaining beginning pitchers in the marketplace and a logical touchdown spot for every of them.
1. Framber Valdez, LHP
Logical touchdown spot: Chicago Cubs
(Houston Astros/Getty Pictures)
Bringing again Shota Imanaga on the qualifying supply helps stabilize the group. If the Cubs have goals of doing something of significance in 2026 — particularly in the event that they lose Kyle Tucker — they want greater than that. Including a frontline arm, whether or not by spending or by way of commerce, is one path to take.
The Cubs’ rotation was tremendous final yr, amassing a 3.83 ERA that ranked eighth in MLB. The group was twenty third in strikeout price and twenty seventh in ground-ball price, although. Which means with an infield as stout because the one the Cubs boast with Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson up the center, concentrating on a pitcher with Valdez’s profile makes a whole lot of sense, even when it means spending past their degree of consolation.
During the last 5 years, Valdez has boasted the very best ground-ball share of any certified starter in MLB. Even in a down yr by his requirements final season, the left-hander continued to induce smooth contact and pressure opponents to place the ball on the bottom in addition to nearly any pitcher within the league. Valdez gained’t dazzle together with his swing-and-miss stuff, however he would symbolize a major improve for a Cubs staff that might use extra dependable arms in October.
Different potential suits: Mets, Orioles, Giants
2. Ranger Suarez, LHP
Logical touchdown spot: New York Mets
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Pictures)
It was simple for Suárez to get missed in a rotation that featured Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez and Aaron Nola. However amongst all pitchers who’ve thrown no less than 600 innings over the past 5 years, Suárez ranks tenth in ERA. The 2024 All-Star simply produced an excellent higher season in 2025 with a 3.20 ERA that ranked eleventh amongst all starters (min. 150 innings pitched).
A grasp of command, Suárez has thrived regardless of a low-90s fastball with an unlimited arsenal that has helped him persistently induce smooth contact and preserve the ball on the bottom. And even with out the swing-and-miss stuff of a typical ace, he has thrived when given the chance in October with a 1.48 profession postseason ERA over 11 appearances (together with eight begins).
These qualities would assist a unstable Mats rotation that had the sixth-highest hard-hit price and ranked 18th in ERA final season. Contemplating the mass exodus out of Queens to start the offseason, it’s exhausting to ascertain a world wherein the Mets don’t seize one of many prime remaining beginning pitchers in the marketplace.
Different potential suits: Orioles, Phillies, Tigers
3. Zac Gallen, RHP
Logical touchdown spot: Los Angeles Angels
(Kelsey Grant/Arizona Diamondbacks/Getty Pictures)
Given Gallen’s profession success — he completed third in Cy Younger voting in 2023 — it is a robust time for him to be coming into free company. The best-hander, who amassed a 3.20 ERA from 2022-24, recorded a career-worst 4.83 ERA in 2025 whereas seeing his strikeout price plummet and permitting a career-high 31 residence runs. Solely three pitchers surrendered extra. Nonetheless, he did exit on an intriguing observe, registering a 3.32 ERA over his closing 11 begins.
Initially, I had Gallen matched with the Giants, contemplating the pitcher-friendly surroundings and the membership’s want for extra stability behind Logan Webb and Robbie Ray. However after signing right-handers Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser, and with Gallen having a qualifying supply hooked up to probably signing him, there could also be extra doubtless suitors.
Angel Stadium is way from a haven for pitchers vulnerable to the lengthy ball, however the Angels want rotation assist, might use a right-handed workhorse to pair with southpaw Yusei Kikuchi, are nicely under their 2025 payroll, and will see this as their finest alternative to extract the upside of a pitcher with Gallen’s historical past.
Different potential suits: Giants, Braves, Cubs
4. Lucas Giolito, RHP
Logical touchdown spot: Detroit Tigers
(Alika Jenner/Getty Pictures)
Giolito may find yourself signing later within the offseason after the marketplace for beginning pitching turns into clearer, however it wouldn’t be stunning to see him rejoin his outdated Harvard-Westlake highschool teammate, Jack Flaherty, in Detroit. As rumors swirl concerning the Tigers probably buying and selling ace Tarik Skubal, they may nonetheless use extra arms behind him as they try and rebound from final yr’s late-season stumble and emerge past the division sequence.
Coming off elbow surgical procedure that worn out his 2024 season, the begin to Giolito’s lone season in Boston was rocky. However he settled in properly, recording a 2.51 ERA over his closing 19 begins to complete the yr 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA. He was unable to pitch within the postseason because of one other elbow situation and the underlying numbers weren’t notably flashy, however he might symbolize a discount for a staff prepared to tackle the damage danger. He’s, in any case, a former All-Star nonetheless in his early 30s.
Different potential suits: Athletics, Diamondbacks, Padres
5. Chris Bassitt, RHP
Logical touchdown spot: Atlanta Braves
(Matt Dirksen/Getty Pictures)
With Dylan Stop, Michael King and now Imai off the board, there appears to be a comparatively clear prime three earlier than a drop-off to the subsequent tier, which incorporates Bassitt. The veteran right-hander will flip 37 earlier than the beginning of the 2026 season, however he’s coming off an fascinating yr wherein he registered a 3.96 ERA earlier than rising as a aid weapon in October for a Blue Jays staff that almost gained the World Collection.
Bassitt doesn’t generate a lot chase or whiff, however he limits exhausting contact and, most notably, persistently posts. He has made no less than 30 begins in every of the final 4 seasons, and he has recorded an ERA beneath 4.00 in seven of his final eight seasons. For a Braves staff that was decimated by damage final yr — Bryce Elder was the one Atlanta pitcher who made greater than 25 begins — that reliability could possibly be intriguing.
Different potential suits: Rangers, Tigers, Pink Sox
Rowan Kavner is an MLB author for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand lined the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved again to the West Coast in 2014. Observe him on X at @RowanKavner.
Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports activities account, and observe leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a customized publication each day!
