Japanese free agent Amei will bring down the Dodgers instead of joining them

As the Los Angeles Dodgers showed this October, the current lineup of Japanese stars in MLB has never been stronger.

While there are plenty of Japanese players in the majors right now, there’s perhaps no more enticing landing spot for those crossing the Pacific than the Dodgers. The repeat World Series champions have money to spend and a deep group of stars led by Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Rookie Sasaki.

Seems like a solid fit for the likes of Tatsuya Umami, Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto as they enter international free agency this winter, right?

For Amai, a right-handed starter, that might not be the case at all.

Speaking recently with former World Series champion Daisuke Matsuzaka on the show, “Hodo Station,” Amai said he would welcome the challenge of beating his hometown, rather than joining them.

“Of course, I will enjoy playing with Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki,” Ami said. “But to win against a team like this and become world champion will be the most precious thing in my life.”

“If anything, I’d rather take them down.”

The 27-year-old Amei is one of the most sought-after pitchers on the free-agent market this offseason after posting a 1.92 ERA over 163.2 innings for Nippon Professional Baseball’s Saitama Cebu Lions.

Standing at just five-foot-11, Amai emerged as one of Japan’s top starters this season, with a weapon highlighted by a riding fastball and reverse-breaking slider. Helped him rack up 178 strikeouts in 2025, reducing his 45 walks.

“If there was another Japanese player on the same team, I could just ask them about anything, right?” He said about his potential landing spot. “But that’s not really what I’m looking for. In a way, I want to experience a sense of survival. When I’m faced with cultural differences, I want to see how I can overcome them on my own – that’s the part I’m passionate about.”

Amey was officially posted by the Lions on Nov. 18, meaning he has until Jan. 2 to come to terms on a contract with the MLB club.

The Lions will receive a fee from any MLB club that signs Amy through the posting system. They will receive 20 percent of the first $25 million of his contract, 17.5 percent of the next $25 million and 15 percent of anything over $50 million.