Two Leading Contenders Emerge in the Race for Yoshinobu Yamamoto

With Shohei Ohtani officially joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, the next major player expected to make a decision is the standout Japanese pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Currently in talks with various organizations, Yamamoto seems to have two frontrunners vying for his services, as reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are considered the leading contenders to secure Yamamoto, with seven teams in total believed to still be in the running, including the New York Mets.

The Yankees have been pursuing Yamamoto for an extended period, with indications suggesting their interest spans over a year. Failing to acquire him would be a significant setback to their offseason plans, despite their earlier acquisition of Juan Soto. Meanwhile, the Dodgers, having already signed Shohei Ohtani, possess a potentially influential recruiting advantage in this competition.

Although the Mets have actively pursued Yamamoto, it appears they have some ground to cover in order to sway his decision.

Importantly, the report indicates a potential increase in the cost of signing Yamamoto. Initially expected to secure a contract of at least $200 million, the current speculation suggests that the price tag could now reach as high as $300 million.

Yamamoto boasts an impressive track record with a 1.82 ERA over seven seasons in Japan's NPB, establishing himself as one of the nation's most talented pitchers in recent memory.