Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Unprecedented Free Agency Continues, as Dodgers, Mets and Yankees Headline $300 Million Battle

This offseason is turning out to be unprecedented in more than one way. Samurai Japan ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto has turned the entire league into his suitors. Nearly every club wants to have the 25-year-old ace on their roster and now his free agency has entered its final stage. Why is he generating such a frenzy amongst top franchises? Because it doesn’t look like things will cool down anytime soon.

Even though pitchers have filled this offseason’s market, this young ace easily stands above the rest. The reason is simple – Yamamoto’s unending potential has made him a delicious prospect. A top insider has explained why this is a rare occurrence.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto – A darling of the league

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal recently posted an article where he talked about Yamamoto’s wild free agency saga. While discussing his demand, Rosenthal pointed out that it is a rare occurrence when all three – New York Mets, New York Yankees, and LA Dodgers – go after the same player. These three are some of the biggest spenders in baseball but they aren’t alone.

“Only a few teams can play at that financial level. And virtually all of them — the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Giants and Red Sox — are in the mix “ said Rosenthal. This situation is quite unprecedented as mostly the biggest spending teams tend to have their roadmaps. Two or three can compete for one player but rarely does everyone go for the same players. 

As a result, the sweepstakes that started at $200 million have grown tremendously and are now above $300 million. Interest is such that Mets’ Steve Cohen traveled to Japan two weeks ago because he wanted to be the first to meet Yamamoto. The Yankees meanwhile have been scouting him for at least a year.

Read more: LA Dodgers Emerge as Yoshinobu Yamamoto Favorites, Overtaking Mets and Yankees Amidst Intense $300 Million Race

And those teams aren’t alone, the Dodgers have even prepared a graphic to welcome Yamamoto to their stadium. So why are teams going gaga over this Samurai Japan ace?

The unique opportunity that 3x Sawamura Award winner brings

In Yamamoto, teams are getting a player who is experienced as well as young enough that he can improve with time. But that is not all, in that small of a career Yamamoto has won nearly everything a pitcher can win. Like the Sawamura Award, equivalent to MLB’s Cy Young, which the 25-year-old has won three years in a row. Let that statement sink in.

Additionally, his rising popularity in Japan turns him into a potential star. In the long run, instead of an expense, Yamamoto will turn into an investment. As a result, teams are not only getting a 3x PL MVP but also someone who will win more in the future as well.

Things are just getting started. 

Watch This Story: The Japanese Ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Head-Turning Deal of $200 Million Was Confirmed By Insider, Keeping Giant Teams On Hotlists