“Poised, Athletic, Dominant”, Yoshinobu Yamamoto has kept the entire MLB on their toes since his club announced that the player would be made available for the market this offseason. The 25-year-old slugger has been predicted to receive roughly $200 million or more deals in the market, surpassing many of his professional contenders in the MLB scene. Unsurprisingly, Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s entry will bring a certain Fall Classic-worthy weight to any team that drafts him. In light of this, it’s crucial to delve into the nuances of Yamamoto’s offseason pursuits.
The Orix Buffaloes signed him for a one-year, $4.9 million contract in 2022. He will start playing in the MLB from the 2024 season onward, and the biggest teams are ready to compete for him in the Yamamoto race. So, let’s get into the scoop on the trade details of the new Japanese pitcher who’s ready to hit the big leagues!
Yoshinobu Yamamoto: The star who is about to begin his MLB journey soon
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Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a rising star in the world of baseball, is on the brink of embarking on his MLB journey. As anticipation builds, fans and analysts alike eagerly await the next chapter in Yamamoto’s career, curious to witness how his exceptional talent and skills will translate to the competitive stage of Major League Baseball.
The hype surrounding Yamamoto’s imminent MLB debut might seem a bit farfetched. However, taking a single look at his track record is enough to drive away any lingering doubts. Yamamoto’s NPB career stats brag of a good 922 strikeouts across 897 innings pitched, with a .707% win rate and 1.82 ERA.
His fastballs have a high 95-mph speed record, which helped him throw a 14-strikeout game against the Hanshin Tigers in the sixth game of NPB this season. He allowed just one run, that too with no walks, and his 14 SO set a record in the Japan series. Let’s now look at the date of the player’s entry into the Major League Baseball (MLB) market.
When his free agency will begin: A timeline for his MLB posting
As a matter of fact, Yamamoto is not a free agent yet, according to the NPB and MLB posting system rules. On November 20, Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s NPB club, the Orix Buffaloes, will post him on the free agency market. Hence, the negotiation period for his draft will officially start on November 21st, Tuesday.
Starting on November 21, he will have a deadline of 45 days to choose and clinch a deal with one of the MLB teams; he will have until January 4 to finalize the deal before entering the United States. If he does not confirm a deal within the 45-day deadline, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will return to the NPB for the coming 2024 season. Although with the level of recognition he has already garnered amongst the MLB, the latter part of the probability seems less likely to happen. However, MLB insiders expect him to break the record for the largest contract ever signed by an NPB player.
MLB Trader Rumors projects that any of the contending clubs will offer him a $225 million, nine-year deal. However, given Yamamoto’s age, the slugger might choose an opt-out clause in his subsequent contract and re-enter the market with an even bigger deal after permanently etching his name on the diamond of MLB. Which top-tier franchises are mainly interested in drafting him?
Yoshinobu Yamamoto: A player in demand with multiple teams chasing him
The New York Mets and the New York Yankees will primarily seek after Yamamoto, but they are not the only horses in the race. As far as Japanese pitcher’s $200M tag is concerned, several major-market clubs like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox are gearing up to vie for Yamamoto. Moreover, clubs like the Chicago Cubs, the St. Louis Cardinals, the San Francisco Giants, and the Texas Rangers have reportedly done heavy scouting on Yamamoto.
The plot thickens as three additional teams enter the fray, joining the pursuit of Yamamoto. Lately the Phillies, the D-backs, and the Tigers have thrown their hats into the ring, expanding the field of contenders for the sought-after Japanese right-hander. As reported by Alex Coffey from The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies are seriously contemplating the addition of the 25-year-old Japanese right-hander to their roster. But who will be the ultimate victor?
Which team will be the winner, and at what cost?
Jon Heyman, columnist for The New York Post, reported that the Mets will show a lot of interest in Yamamoto’s pick. In his words, “Every big-market team has been tracking the two-time MVP, but a couple rival GMs say they hear the Mets are expected to go big.” The Mets are one of the wealthiest clubs in the MLB, historically speaking. Their owner, Steve Cohen, has pockets deeper than most, and he has seldom held back from making good use of that.
They had a payroll of $358 million this season, the highest in the MLB at present. The Queens will have a projected payroll of $192 million for the 2024 season, excluding any offseason moves. So, adding Yamamoto for a minimum of $200 million will not be an issue for the team, as divulged by one of the general managers, Heyman says. Will this make Yamamoto the costliest NPB signing in the history of baseball?
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What makes him the costliest signing, even greater than Masahiro Tanaka?
Back in 2014, the Yankees signed Japanese slugger Masahiro Tanaka for a seven-year contract worth $155 million. The Yankees also had to pay a $20 million posting fee on that contract. This makes it the largest contract signed by any Japanese player before making an MLB debut. With Yamamoto’s predicted projected contract worth $225 million for 9 years, he might just break that MLB record the moment he steps foot in Bronx.
Read More: Top Insider Reveals Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Free Agency Timeline, as Yankees and Mets Top Suitors List
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With Yamamoto’s pre-existing grit and talent, he will be a valuable addition to any club. Which team do you think deserves to have the star Japanese slugger on their team? Let us know your views in the comments below!
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