Tatsuya Imai called “perfect player” for Giants; Mets look at Padres FA Robert Suarez

The MLB free agent market is heating up as the offseason is in full swing. Some of the top deals go down before the MLB Winter Meetings each year. Here's a look at two big rumors circulating ahead of next week's meeting.

The San Francisco Giants want to sign Tatusya Imai

Tatsuya Imai made headlines Monday, claiming in an interview with Daisuke Matsuzaka on the show, “Hodo Station,” that he has no intentions of signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Instead, he believes it will be a greater honor to beat the Japanese superstar trio of Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on their way to a title.

What better place to do it than the Dodgers' perennial rivals, the San Francisco Giants. On November 20, during a segment on MLB Network, Jon Morosi stated that Imai was the “perfect player” for the Giants. He feels he would be the right No. 2 to back up ace Logan Webb.

“They need a co-star alongside Logan Webb in this rotation, and I think Imai would be a great addition,” Morosi said.

Imai is a career 3.45 ERA pitcher in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league with a 58-45 record. But he had a career season in 2025, pitching to a 1.92 ERA in 163.2 innings and striking out 178.

Robert Suarez on the radar of the New York Mets

The New York Mets lost Edwin Diaz to free agency after the superstar closer opted out of his 5-year, $102 million contract after his third season. The team is evaluating its options with former San Diego Padres reliever Robert Suarez, who opted for a contract of his own. a possible selection.

Suarez has earned back-to-back Padres All-Star appearances. The Venezuelan pro also posted the highest regular-season saves in 2025 with 40. In four seasons with the club, he has amassed 5.8 bWAR in just 210.0 innings pitched.

Despite being on the wrong side of the 30s, approaching his age-35 season, Suarez's speed has not been compromised. He has an average fastball of 98.6 mph and a high strikeout rate of 27.9%. He has also had strong performances in October, posting a 2.45 ERA in 14.2 innings pitched. The Mets are the first team connected to him this winter.