Rangers face steeper path to postseason return after Astros sign Japanese superstar

While the Houston Astros missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2016, they still should be a postseason contender in 2026. In an effort to ensure they won't miss the playoffs again, the Astros have signed Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai to a three-year, $54 million contract, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Imai, 27, can earn up to $3 million per year in incentives if he logs 100 innings. He also has an opt-out after every year, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers.

Per MLB's Mark Feinsand, other teams offered Imai longer contracts with lower annual values. Imai decided that signing a shorter-term deal with a higher annual value and opt-outs would allow him to maximize his earnings.

In 159 career NPB outings, Imai posted a 3.15 ERA with 907 strikeouts and 468 walks across 963 2/3 innings. His fastball typically sits in the mid-90s but can reach 99 mph. He also throws a splitter, slider and changeup.

Rangers' path to postseason return more difficult after Astros sign Tatsuya Imai

Texas likely faces a tougher journey to returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2023 after the Astros signed Imai, who had a career-best 1.92 ERA with 178 strikeouts and 45 walks in 163 2/3 innings with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) this past season.

By signing Imai, the Astros are likely not bringing back free agent lefty Framber Valdez, which is good news for Rangers fans unless he signs with a different American League West team. But Imai has the potential to be even better than Valdez, a two-time All-Star.

If Imai lives up to his potential, the Astros will likely be back in the postseason, so long as the rest of the team performs as expected. That'll make the Rangers' odds at returning to the playoffs slimmer, as the AL West is seemingly getting better and better. The Seattle Mariners barely missed a World Series berth last season and the Athletics and Angels both have a ton of young talent. Best of luck to Imai, but let's hope he is terrible when pitching against the Rangers, and that Texas can make the playoffs despite Houston's new addition.