Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the theme of the week in MLB.
Everybody watched him strike out 14 hitters in one game during the Japan Series, and everybody saw him dominate during the World Baseball Classic in the spring.
Not everybody is familiar with the fact he had a 1.48 ERA in Japan this season, though, in 164 innings.
His 0.88 WHIP and 169 strikeouts were also elite.
All those achievements, his age (25 years old), and his excellent stuff make him one of the premier free agent targets for MLB teams this offseason.
That means he has generated a lot of interest, and that translates to a very juicy contract.
The New York Mets and the New York Yankees might be caught in a bidding war for the talented Japanese import, per reports.
“Bidding hasn’t even started yet, but the strong early feel at GM meetings from people in the know is that Mets would have a tougher time landing him than Yankees. But both are in,” MLB insider Andy Martino tweeted.
Bidding hasn’t even started yet, but the strong early feel at GM meetings from people in the know is that Mets would have a tougher time landing him than Yankees. But both are in https://t.co/ozXIRw8Usf
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) November 10, 2023
The Mets are said to be “all over” Yamamoto, and badly need another ace-caliber talent in their rotation after losing Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander at different stages of the year.
The Yankees have more of a need for offense than pitching, but are said to be very much interested in bringing in Yamamoto.
It won’t be cheap, though, especially if the two New York powerhouses (and other teams) are involved in the sweepstakes until the end.
Once he is posted, teams will be offering to throw money at him.
Who will win the sweepstakes?
The post Insider Reveals Where Mets, Yankees Stand With Top Free Agent appeared first on The Cold Wire.