New York Yankees Or Mets? Who Is More Likely To Sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto As The Tussle Between Crosstown Rivals Continues

Free agency superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto was just reported to hold a meeting with both of the top teams vying to sign him: the New York Yankees and the New York Mets. Both clubs have persisted in their persuasion for the star ace since he entered the free agency market. What is the latest in their efforts to clinch Yoshi for their dugout?

From finding out Japanese connections to the player to revealing surprises held on to for a year, the clubhouses seem to have left no stone unturned with their endeavors to secure Yamamoto. What did their latest meeting with him reveal so far?

The Mets and Yankees – meeting details with Yoshinobu Yamamoto

According to MLB Insider Joel Sherman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto recently met Mets’ owner Steve Cohen at a dinner party held for the ace at Cohen’s house. The meeting happened Saturday night, a surprising turn of events because the Queens team was not considered an aggressive contender for the young pitcher.

While he was at the location, a meeting with the Yankees was reportedly set up in haste, per insider Andy Martino. USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale said in a Twitter (X) post that despite teams like the Dodgers and Rays still prevailing in their contention to acquire the ace, “the Yankees still remain the favorites on Yamamoto.”

The 3x Sawamura award winner has fetched an offer prediction of up to $250 million for his free agency availability this month. According to The Athletic, Yoshi has met with around 13 different teams over Zoom meetings for his preliminary round of interviews.

Watch This Story: Mets Gear Up For Yamamoto Showdown: Going All In Amidst Yankees Pursuit

Only a few of them have the resources to provide the player with an offer well to his liking. Who among the Big Apple behemoths is most likely to secure the star pitcher?

Mets vs. Yankees: A fight for talent

The Mets arsenal features Kodai Senga, Yoshinobu Yasmamoto’s NPB teammate, who made a bold demand to his team about getting Yoshi to play with him under the team’s banner by hook or by crook. Then Steve Cohen made things personal earlier in November by visiting the ace’s family to convince him to join the team. They have the resources to afford his asking price. The doubt comes into play knowing Yamamoto has his own set of favorites. The Yankees are one of them and for good reasons.

Read More: Playing Second Fiddle to Shohei Ohtani Could Drive Yoshinobu Yamamoto Far Away from Los Angeles

Owner Hal Steinbrenner also recently held a meeting with him in LA. After his free agency availability opened up, the team revealed their long-kept jersey with the number 18, aka Yamamoto’s NPB number. Given the $7.1 billion clubhouse and the ace’s current favoritism, can fans expect Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Pinstripes soon?