Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the three-time Pacific League MVP, is currently the hot pick in the MLB free-agent market. The New York Yankees, New York Mets, and LA Dodgers, amongst many others, have expressed heavy interest. But the ace pitcher continues to play the chasing game as he has yet to decide on the best-fit franchise.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto earlier met with Mets while he was in Japan as Steve Cohen wanted to instill an esteemed impression. Later, the ace arrived in the USA and met with the Yankees and Dodgers accordingly. However, last weekend, Yamamoto flew to New York to sit with the Yanks for a second round of meetings. Here are some inside details of what unfolded behind the locked doors.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto To Begin Hearing Formal Offers This Week!
As the New York Yankees continue their pursuit of Japanese pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto, details from the team’s second meeting with the ace have surfaced. After the first round of talks were held last week in LA, the ace pitcher asked for a second round at a different venue. He wanted to get a feel of the big city and thus arrived in New York to meet both the city rivals. Yamamoto initially met Steve Cohen over dinner before finally heading towards the Bronx. Moreover, rumors have it that captain Aaron Judge, former Yankee legend CC Sabathia, and many influential faces graced the meeting with their presence.
Having said that, the Yankees didn’t pitch a formal offer to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, as per Jack Curry of YES Network. The team merely got to know Yamamoto better as a person. In fact, the whole point of these talks was to allow the player and the franchise to know each other better. Obviously, the pitcher is going to commit for the long term. Thus, it’s better if he knows what he is getting himself into. Meanwhile, Curry further reported that Yanks seemed impressed with Yamamoto, both a pitcher and a person. They look forward to tabling an offer really soon. Fortunately, the Bombers won’t have to wait any longer. As per ESPN, the Japanese ace will start hearing formal offers from this week before eventually making up his mind around Christmas.
Yankees Reportedly Tried To Sell World Series Dream To Yamamoto!
In a fresh development, the New York Yankees reportedly tried to pull a masterstroke to lure Yoshinobu Yamamoto during its second meeting. As per Jack Curry of YES Network, the Yanks tried selling the World Series dream to the ace pitcher. The 27-time champions apparently showed Yamamoto how he can be a part of the emerging core to win multiple World Series titles. Was the idea enough to influence Yamamoto? Only time will tell.
However, the Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes will likely come down to three teams: the Yankees, the Mets, and the Dodgers. Yamamoto is already intrigued by the idea of playing in New York. Moreover, Steve Cohen and Hal Steinbrenner possess the kind of money required to attract the pitcher. This week will be crucial as the ace has begun sorting offers.