The New York Yankees are among those teams most in on top MLB free agent and Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto as the star pitcher nears a final decision.
New York met with Yamamoto, 25, twice earlier in free agency. It’s a clear indication that the Yankees are intent on bringing him to the Bronx. They are also seen as the favorites to land a potential co-ace to go with reigning American League Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone just recently datailed the Yankees’ pitch to Yamamoto. It went against the norms for an organization that has always been seen as an ideal landing spot for star players, the recently acquired Juan Soto included.
Boone brought a Yankees pinstriped No. 18 jersey with him to the pitch meeting. It’s the star pitcher’s favorite number. “I gave him that jersey,” Boone said Thursday, via The Athletic. “It’s his if he wants to keep it.”
The Yankees also played a video from Japanese star and a legend in the Bronx, Hideki Matsui.
“Hopefully that stuff is things that matter and add up,” Boone said. “We’ll see.”
Related: New timeline reveals when Yoshinobu Yamamoto could make MLB free agent decision
At this point, it’s unclear whether the Yankees have presented a firm offer to Yamamoto. The Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies are the three known teams to have formally offered the star pitcher.
Yamamoto’s market could potentially top $300 million over a span of double-digit years. It would be a record-breaking deal for a pitcher in the MLB world. For good reason. He’s seen as a generational talent and dominated at the highest levels Japan has to offer.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto career stats: 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
New York Yankees in love with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, favorites to land star
“Really some presence to him,” Boone said of Yamamoto. “Comfortable in his skin. Confident. Humility to him. It’s been nice to get to know him in less formal environments where you can let your hands drop and have real conversations. It’s been fun to do that.”
The manager did not detail how conversations are going, indicating that it’s “above my pay grade.”
What we do know is that other around the baseball world believes New York is favored to land Yamamoto. The lure of New York City coupled with Japanese players who have starred for the Pinstripes in the past both add another layer to this.
If New York is able to sign Yamamoto, it would likely create the best one-two punch in baseball atop the rotation. Add in the acquisition of Soto to go with Aaron Judge, and the Yanks would top the odds to win the American League in 2024. That’s for sure.