According to Dai Takegami Podziewski of MLB Trade Rumors, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw his second career no-hitter on Sept. 9 also threw it in front of scouts and executives from 12 MLB teams, including Brian Cashman of the New York Yankees.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the most accomplished Japanese pitcher to become available since Masahiro Tanaka in 2014. Now, many teams are willing to go into a bidding war to acquire the 25-year-old pitcher in hopes of bolstering their rotations and becoming contenders.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, a possible Yamamoto contract could reach the $160 million range. This would surpass the seven-year, $155 million contract that Masahiro Tanaka signed with the Yankees. That price may limit the number of contenders to sign him but these three teams could use him and have the money to pay up.
3 teams that should pay Yoshinobu Yamamoto: 3. New York Yankees
After failing to make the postseason in 2023, the Yankees have to make a big splash. This is essential for two reasons: one, to secure Brian Cashman's job if he isn't fired after the season, and two, because the fans are demanding it. The Yankees have a history of spending big on Japanese free agents.
The Yankees only have confirmed starters for the 2024 season in Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Nestor Cortes if healthy. They have two free-agent pitchers this offseason in Luis Severino and Frankie Montas, both of whom don't bring much to the table.
Yankees could be forced to sign Yamamoto with possible future moves
The Yankees, have called up cheap talent in Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells, and Jasson Dominguez, but they need to commit now and make a giant push for the World Series, or they could lose their only remaining chance to go all the way. The Yankees haven't won a World Series since 2009, and fans are getting tired of excuses.
After the 2024 season, they have a team option for Anthony Rizzo, while Jonathan Loaisiga and Gleyber Torres are set to become free agents. There is also the possibility that Gerrit Cole could opt out of his nine-year, $324 million contract. Anthony Rizzo, Nestor Cortes, and Michael King will become official free agents after the 2025 season.
3 teams that should pay Yoshinobu Yamamoto: 2. New York Mets
The Mets seem interested in signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto this offseason. They are willing to spend big on free agents and Yamamoto could be a good addition to pair with Kodai Senga, forming one of the best one-two punches in all of MLB, especially considering they are both Japanese.
The Mets currently have a weak starting rotation after trading away players like Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. It appears that the main starters for the 2024 season would be Kodai Senga, Jose Quintana, and Joey Lucchesi, all of whom have an ERA of around 3.00 this season.
Mets' GM Billy Eppler's history with Japanese players
According to Andy Martino at SNY, Mets GM Billy Eppler traveled to Japan in 2023 to watch Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Both Billy Eppler and Brian Cashman are on the hot seat, and unless they can succeed soon, they could be at risk of losing their jobs. However, unlike the Yankees, the Mets have recently shown that they are willing to invest in the team, even if it means spending money.
As the assistant GM of the New York Yankees, Eppler helped acquire Tanaka. Later, as the general manager of the Los Angeles Angels, he helped sign Shohei Ohtani. Now, as the general manager of the New York Mets, he played a role in signing Kodai Senga. This track record of bringing some of the best Japanese players to MLB could be a significant factor in their pursuit of Yamamoto, as pointed out by CBS Sports Reporter Mike Axisa.
3 teams that should pay Yoshinobu Yamamoto: 1. Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are in the same position as they were in 2006 when they signed Daisuke Matsuzaka. The Red Sox are in one of the toughest divisions in all of MLB, with every team besides them currently over .500. This includes the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays, who both clinched the postseason, as well as the Toronto Blue Jays, who could soon clinch a spot, and the New York Yankees, who are also a contender for Yamamoto.
The Red Sox signed Matsuzaka because if they let him sign with the Yankees, it could hurt them for years to come. Now, with Red Sox players like Corey Kluber and James Paxton both becoming free agents, as well as Adam Duvall, if not re-signed, they would clear $27 million in salary, which could be enough to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Current Boston Red Sox rotation with possible moves
The Red Sox currently have a rotation of Brayan Bello, Tanner Houck, and Chris Sale, but they could also use Garrett Whitlock and Nick Pivetta in the starting rotation. If they could add Yamamoto to this rotation while reinforcing the starting lineup, they could become contenders.
They currently also have Japanese slugger Masataka Yoshida, whom they acquired from the Orix Buffaloes, which could give them an advantage in trying to sign Yamamoto since they were teammates. This could be one of the last chances they have to make a playoff push with the current talent before Kenley Jansen, Alex Verdugo, Nick Pivetta, and others become free agents after the 2024 season.