Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to be started very soon, perhaps as early as Monday, and the Yankees and Mets are reportedly among the many teams chasing the two-time Pacific League MVP.
All major market MLB teams are believed to be showing interest in Yamamoto, which is not a major surprise since he is a three-time Triple Crown winner and is still only 25 years old.
The Red Sox, Cards, Braves, Phillies, Dodgers, Astros and possibly Cubs are among the teams prioritizing a No. 1 starter, and Yamamoto is considered in that category.
While it’s unclear whether the Yankees and Mets are pursuing other top free agent pitchers so far, Yamamoto’s age is attracting new teams, including surprise entrants like the Diamondbacks and Tigers .
People at the Yankees and Mets suggest they don’t give any credence to rumors that Yamamoto might have a West Coast preference, and the vast majority of teams known to feature the pitcher with a career ERA of 1, 82 are in the Eastern and Central divisions.
Japan’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws a pitch during the fifth inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Mexico on March 20, 2023.PA
At least the Yankees (and probably every other big-market team, including the Mets) are also known for recording two-way megastar Shohei Ohtani. But in this case, the Yankees aren’t as optimistic that Ohtani will seriously consider New York based on a comment he allegedly made to them six years ago during his team tour, suggesting he wouldn’t I couldn’t see myself in such a big city. like New York.
Five of Ohtani’s seven finalist teams were on the West Coast last time around, including the winning Angels, but Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, has kept things extremely quiet regarding the international sensation who could rake in $500 million dollars, or more, on a record contract this time.
Mets ace Kodai Senga, who put together a stellar rookie campaign in Queens, said he would offer his friend Yamamoto to join him in a rotation that requires several reinforcements.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to be released with many MLB teams interested. P.A.
The Yankees are also said to be extremely interested in the pitcher who has a 1.82 career ERA and has been compared favorably to Masahiro Tanaka, a Yankees success story who signed for $175 million over seven years – although a big part of their focus should be on offense (with free matches). agent Cody Bellinger and trade option Juan Soto among targets).
Although Yamamoto doesn’t have the once-overwhelming knockout field like Senga’s ghost fork, Yamamoto throws almost as hard (97) and gets extremely high marks for his composure, competitiveness, and athleticism. It’s for this – and his young age – that some see a team spending upwards of $200 million to bring in Yamamoto.
While Yamamoto’s agent, Joel Wolfe, who also represents Yankees outfielder/DH Giancarlo Stanton, responded strongly to Brian Cashman’s comment during GM meetings that injuries “seem to be part of (Stanton’s) game ),” it’s hard to imagine that an offhand comment was a major factor in Yamamoto’s final decision.
Wolfe told The Athletic: “It’s a good reminder for all the free agents considering signing with New York, both foreign and domestic, that to play for this team you have to be made of Teflon, both mentally and physically, because you can never let your guard down, even out of season.
Cashman later said he contacted Wolfe and Stanton to explain, and later posted very positive comments about Stanton, stating, “I feel like everything is okay.”
The Mets have long been linked to Yamamoto and are believed to remain involved. Even though the Mets aren’t necessarily all committed until 2025, they aim to be competitive, and Yamamoto seems like a good long-term bet due to his young age and the trajectory of his career. He was 17-6 with a 1.16 ERA for Orix this season and threw no hits for the second straight season.
Mets Baseball President David Stearns declined to comment, as did agent Wolfe. Cashman did not respond.
2023-11-18 23:31:36
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