Yoshinobu Yamamoto Most Sought In Free Agency: To Receive $300M Contract Offers?

The time is now for clubs to begin serious negotiations with Yoshinobu Yamamoto about money, maybe in the hundreds of millions. Following a fast-paced pursuit by Major League Baseball teams, the Japanese star was available to accept official offers on Monday.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto Most Sought In Free Agency: To Receive $300M Contract Offers?

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the bidding for pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a free agent, has not yet reached $300 million.

The New York Yankees signed Gerrit Cole in December 2019 for $324 million over nine years, becoming him the first pitcher in MLB history to sign a contract for more than $300 million.

Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals is the only other full-time pitcher whose deal now exceeds $200 million. Examining the list of other big earners highlights the reason why organizations are typically reluctant to give starting players enormous salary increases.

Yamamoto is so highly sought after after helping Japan win the 2023 World Baseball Classic and making a name for himself as the best arm in Nippon Professional Baseball that it is astonishing that he would even be discussed in the $300 million area.

The source claims that although broad contract terms were discussed during Yamamoto’s recent talks with teams, no “serious” offers were made.

Teams and the player used the sessions mostly as a platform to get to know one another.

The Mets anticipate Yamamoto making a decision by Christmas.

Passan pointed out that “multiple reports suggested teams already had offered Yamamoto deals in excess of $300 million.”

He reported, “Those reports are inaccurate, sources said.” “Multiple high-ranking officials trying to sign Yamamoto told ESPN that teams were asked to give a preliminary bid at the start of the process to ensure they were serious — but not necessarily in the neighborhood of where the deal is likely to land. Since then, those officials say, his agent, Joel Wolfe, has not solicited a new round of bids.”

As one of the best pitchers in Nippon Professional Baseball history, Yamamoto has earned the privilege to wear the black duffel bag. In addition to winning three MVPs in a row, he also won three Sawamura Awards, which are Japan’s version of the Cy Young Awards.

Now that he is the top free agent in Major League Baseball, the most wealthy clubs in the league are anticipated to engage in a bidding war that might end this week or before the new year.

When Yamamoto makes his MLB debut the following season, at 5-foot-10 and 176 pounds, he will be among the tiniest starting pitchers. The baseball establishment finds it puzzling that Yamamoto does not lift weights and that all of his strength training comes from these instruments.

The pitcher had dinner at the Connecticut home of Mets owner Steve Cohen on Saturday.

According to reports, pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, manager Carlos Mendoza, and president of baseball operations David Stearns were among the group.

Before the winter meetings, Cohen and Stearns took a plane to Japan to have their first face-to-face encounter with Yamamoto and his family.

According to Jon Heyman of The Post, Yamamoto met with Yankees officials on Sunday at a venue that was not disclosed.

Yamamoto has one aim in mind for whatever he does: moving with purpose. Since the Orix Buffaloes posted him on November 20, which allowed him to secure a major league contract for hundreds of millions of dollars, MLB organizations have learnt that Yamamoto takes a precise and disciplined approach outside of the baseball field.

Meetings with executives have shown how well-prepared Yamamoto is. He had been waiting for this day for years. He asked a lot of questions about Major League Baseball to his Orix colleagues who had been in the major levels.

What teams are interested in Yamamoto?

However, a few other teams, such as the Phillies, Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Giants, have also invested in Yamamoto. More than $300 million has been offered to the desired starter by Boston and San Francisco, sources informed Jim Bowden of The Athletic on Saturday.

Is Yamamoto Chinese or Japanese?

Yamamoto, which means “base of the mountain” in Japanese, is the ninth most prevalent surname.

Is Yamamoto a free agent?

The Red Sox are apparently still in the running for top free agency starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, as the bidding is getting intense. The San Francisco Giants and Red Sox are reportedly making a serious run at the Japanese right-hander and have both offered an  offer in excess of $300 million.

Who is Yoshinobu Yamamoto agent?

It was claimed that Yamamoto and his agent Joel Wolfe visited nearly seven organizations, including the Dodgers, Cubs, Phillies, and both New York clubs. They also received an outside offer from the Red Sox. Based on his prior transactions, Wolfe has frequently reached agreements that broke records.

What pitches does Yamamoto throw?

One strikeout pitch, however Yamamoto will also utilize his high-80s splitter to earn strikes inside the zone and as a chase pitch below it, similar to what Ohtani and Senga do. Additionally, he can toss a strong slider/cutter in the upper to lower 90s.

How good is Yamamoto?

Yamamoto just won the Sawamura Award, which is equivalent to the Cy Young Award in Nippon Professional Baseball, for the third straight year, defeating Kodai Senga and other contenders in the process. His ERA is 1.16 this season, and it is 1.64 across the previous five campaigns.

 

 

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