The New York Mets and New York Yankees are engaged in a free-agent pursuit for Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. While several other clubs are in the mix for the top MLB free agent, New York’s teams are the leaders and a decision could be imminent.
Yamamoto, who turned 25 years old in August, is one of the best pitchers in baseball. Spending his early career in the Nippon Professional Baseball, he made his NPB debut in 2017 and soon became one of the most decorated players internationally.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto stats 2023: 1.16 ERA, 176-28 K-BB, 0.86 WHIP, 6.3 H/9 in 171 innings pitched
Related: New York Yankees’ backup plan to Yoshinobu Yamamoto revealed
A three-time Pacific League MVP and five-time NPB All-Star, Yamamoto has been the best pitcher in Japan for years. He’s thrown a no-hitter in consecutive seasons, led the Pacific League in wins, ERA and strikeouts in three consecutive seasons and won the Golden Glove Award three times.
MLB teams are now allowed to start bidding on Yamamoto, who previously was only visiting with some club officials. Now, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, teams can now begin discussing offers with the free-agent ace. While the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies are very much in the mix, the Mets and Yankees are the co-favorites right now.
While MLB free agency has been slow, with Shohei Ohtani the only star to sign with another team, it’s expected to ramp up in the coming days. Yamamoto will be the biggest domino to fall, resulting in other signings. Fortunately, it might not be long until a decision is made.
Related:Â NL team may have outbid New York Mets for Yoshinobu Yamamoto with this offer
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto career stats:Â 986 strikeouts, 0.91 WHIP, 6.2 H/9, 0.3 HR/9, 4.56 SO/BB, 1.72 ERA in 967.2 innings pitched
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets are planning to submit their contract offer to Yamamoto this week. As for the timeline for a decision, New York expects Yamamoto to pick his next team by Christmas Day.
Related: New York Mets insider reveals team’s backup plan to Yoshinobu Yamamoto
The tentative expectation is that Yamamoto will sign one of the largest contracts ever by an international player and the deal will be worth more than $200 million, not including the $50-plus million posting fee that Yamamoto’s Japanese team is owed by the MLB club that signs him. Yamamoto will immediately become one of the highest-paid starting pitchers in baseball next season.
Yamamoto’s decision will have major ramifications for MLB. If the Mets land the front-line starter, it puts them back into playoff contention next season. As for the Yankees, pitching is their biggest need and Yamamoto is essential to compete for a World Series.
Once Yamamoto is signed, other players will follow. Blake Snell is expected to sign shortly after with a National League team and a second Japanese starting pitcher is also on the radar of the Mets and Yankees.
