Japanese Orix Buffaloes ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 25, is one of the most sought-after players in this year’s Major League Baseball free agency market. The big markets are making moves to sign him.
“Japanese baseball prodigy Yamamoto is trying to reach the major leagues through the posting system,” MLB.com reported on Saturday, adding that “several big markets are preparing to offer him a contract worth more than $200 million (25.9 billion won).” The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Boston Red Sox are among the teams rumored to be interested in Yamamoto.굿모닝토토 주소
According to MLB Network’s John Paul Morosi, the Dodgers are the team most interested in Yamamoto. “The Dodgers are looking at Yamamoto and Aaron Nola (pitcher),” Morosi said.
Yamamoto is an accomplished ace with a 70-29 record, 1.82 ERA, and 922 strikeouts in 172 games (897 innings) in Nippon Professional Baseball. This season, he is 16-6 with a 1.21 ERA and 169 strikeouts in 23 games (164 innings). He won four titles (wins, ERA, strikeouts, and winning percentage) in three consecutive years, an unprecedented feat in Nippon Professional Baseball history.
Shortly after the conclusion of the Japan Series, the Orix officially announced that they would allow Yamamoto to post, and MLB.com and other local outlets, including CBS Sports in the U.S., have been following Yamamoto closely in this free agent market, second only to Shohei Ohtani.
Yamamoto is considered an attractive option for teams in need of starting pitching reinforcements. ESPN’s Buster Olney sees the Yankees as the favorite to land the Japanese ace. “The Yankees have a tough year in 2023,” Olney said. “If you look at the history of general manager Brian Cashman, he has the same reaction whenever he’s in trouble. “If you look at the history of general manager Brian Cashman, he’s had the same reaction whenever he’s been in trouble: He’s grabbed a pitcher because he believes it’s the quickest and surest way to make a difference.
The Dodgers also need starting help. Dodgers president Andrew Friedman traveled to Japan as early as March to check out Yamamoto in person. The team has no problem mobilizing funds.
MLB.com recently ranked the 95 free agents this offseason in tiers one through five. Shohei Ohtani was the only player in the top tier, while Yamamoto was among 10 players in the second tier, including pitchers Sonny Gray, Josh Hader, Jordan Montgomery, Aaron Nola, Blake Snell, first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger, third baseman Matt Chapman, designated hitter J.D. Martinez, and outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler.
MLB.com said of Yamamoto, “As with any player coming to the majors from Japan, how Yamamota will fit in is a mystery. But the right-hander has been Japan’s top pitcher for the past few years and could make a difference for the team.”
Meanwhile, Lee was one of 22 third-tier players, including pitchers Aroldis Chapman, Zach Flaherty, Lucas Giolito, Jordan Hicks, Shota Imanaga, Clayton Kershaw, Craig Kimbrel, Hector Neris, David Robertson, Eduardo Rodriguez, Ariel Rodriguez, Marcus Stroman, and Michael Waka.