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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

It is only a matter of time before Yoshinobu Yamamoto arrives at the MLB. Since this news was confirmed, MLB enthusiasts have been speculating on the most suitable team to start his MLB career. While several teams have been rumored to be in the running for his signature, the two New York-based teams are the most likely to land the Japanese sensation. Yamamoto was linked to the New York Yankees initially, as Brian Cashman witnessed his historic no-hitter. Later, MLB insiders confirmed that the New York Mets are also interested in Yamamoto. Though these are rumors, they constantly point out that free agency will be interesting and challenging.

After the World Series ended, free agency was a hot topic. While Yamamoto’s landing spot speculations are swirling around social media, the Japanese ace has again surprised fans with his exceptional skills in the Japan Series. He dragged the Hanshin Tigers to the seventh game of the series, tying both sides. Such performances further the hopes of the team of winning the championship.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto saves the Orix Buffaloes’ Championship hopes

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The Orix Buffaloes are on the verge of winning the championship title twice in a row. Though their hopes were almost shattered as the team got multiple hits during their final series, the 25-year-old pitcher came to their rescue. He saved Game 6 with his incredible performance.

Yamamoto performed exceptionally this season, with the highlight being his no-hitters. Though he suffered throughout the postseason, he didn?t give up. This might have been his last Japan Series, but the Japanese pitcher is determined to make his mark. In Game 6, he was the starting pitcher for the Buffaloes and pitched 109 pitches in 8 innings. He created a Japan Series record by striking out 14 while giving away nine hits. While the team was only a step away from the series defeat, the pitcher carried the team out of the situation.

However, it was a kind of redemption for Yamamoto. His performance in Game 1 was not up to the mark. He surrendered seven runs, which led the Buffaloes to an 8-0 defeat. But the pitcher made a glorious comeback.

Amidst all these, his MLB free agency is still shrouded in speculations, and the New York teams are still leaving others behind, as it seems.

New York Yankees or Mets: Which team will suit the Japanese Ace more?

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The Yankees and Mets are both enduring poor seasons. If fans think the 2023 Yankees? season was one of their worst, Mets? have surpassed them in that aspect. They have suffered in both offense and defense part. So, naturally, both teams will try to improve their lineup, and in the pitching lineup, who can be more suitable than Yamamoto?

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In the Yankees, he will join a strong lineup with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon (who failed to live up to expectations this season), etc. This will give the Yanks a further boost in their pitching section. However, the Mets don?t have a strong pitching lineup, except for Kodai Senga. So, they are in desperate need of a pitcher to combine with Senga. An advantage that the Mets can have is that Senga and Yamamoto are both Japanese.

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Everything is just speculation right now, as the teams haven?t made any move yet to prove their intentions. Fans need to wait a little longer to find out who will bring Yamamoto to the MLB.

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