Tatsuya Imai and Zack Wheeler’s Instagram activity, plus a convenient Japanese snack story from the First Lady

Tatsuya Imai is now following Zack Wheeler on Instagram. On its own, that probably means nothing. But then things got a little more interesting.

Shortly after Imai followed Wheeler, Dominique Wheeler, better known around here as the First Lady of the Phillies rotation, posted an Instagram story showing off a ton of Japanese snacks and goodies.

Is it definitive proof of anything? Of course not. But pretending this is just random coincidence feels a little dishonest too.

Tatsuya Imai follows Zack Wheeler on Instagram , the First Lady’s Japanese Snack

Tatsuya Imai follows Zack Wheeler on Instagram now.

Also, Zack Wheeler’s wife must really love Japanese snacks. pic.twitter.com/j7rLemMdmt

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) December 12, 2025

Quick Note: It’s pretty much common practice now but you have to follow Phillies Tailgate on Twitter. The guy is everywhere at once. Do that right here. 

We have been talking all week about the Phillies quietly poking around the NPB market, and there are three legitimate Japanese players worth paying attention to this winter. Two of those players are definitely within the realm of possibility for the 2026 Philadelphia Phillies.

Starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai and right-handed slugger Kazuma Okamoto.

As far as I am concerned, those two should be at the very top of the Phillies offseason priority list from here on out.

If the Phillies are using Zack Wheeler as the unofficial recruiting arm for Tatsuya Imai, with the First Lady handling the cultural onboarding, that feels like the first domino in something bigger.

Land Tatsuya Imai, and suddenly the door opens for another NPB player to follow. That possibility becomes even more realistic with reports that the Phillies are once again shopping Alec Bohm.

Tatsuya Imai: The Rotation Arm That Makes Too Much Sense

Tatsuya Imai is the one NPB player who has already been directly linked to the Phillies in a meaningful way. He checks every box Dave Dombrowski looks for. Power arm, durability, age, and a profile that fits the middle of a playoff rotation.

He also fills a very obvious future need. Ranger Suárez is expected to walk, and the Phillies will need another dependable starter to stabilize things behind Wheeler, Sanchez, and Nola. Imai is the type of pitcher you bring in to hold that spot for the next four or five years without overthinking it.

Notably, the Phillies appear to be the only MLB team consistently mentioned in Japanese reports connected to Imai. That alone should make people pay attention.

Phillies appear to be the only MLB team mentioned in Japan for Tatsuya Imai, maybe it’s finally happening

Kazuma Okamoto: The Perfect Offensive Fit

If Munetaka Murakami is the superstar pipe dream, Kazuma Okamoto is the far more realistic and immediate answer. He is 29 years old, has over 245 career home runs, elite bat-to-ball skills, and a much steadier offensive profile than Murakami.

Okamoto does not strike out nearly as much and does not carry the same volatility. He has played first base, third base, and left field in NPB, which gives the Phillies flexibility whether Alec Bohm is traded or the DH spot becomes more fluid.

He is projected to land around three years and $40 million, including the posting fee. For a player who could be in the lineup from day one, that is nothing.

If the Phillies are serious about supplementing the roster without blowing up payroll, Okamoto makes almost too much sense.

Kazuma Okamoto might be the Phillies’ best offseason fit

Just Something to Monitor

Is an Instagram follow and a snack post enough to declare anything official? Obviously not. But this offseason has been quiet in a way that feels intentional, and the Phillies interest in the NPB market keeps popping up in places that are hard to ignore.

If Zack Wheeler is quietly recruiting and dominoes are lining up behind the scenes, we might look back at this moment and laugh at how obvious it was.

Something to monitor as winter rolls on. Cheers.

Join The Chase