The Yankees lead the pack in the battle to sign standout Japanese RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto. On Tuesday, team manager Aaron Boone revealed about his meeting with the 25-year-old starting pitcher.
While the ace has garnered considerable attention during the offseason, attracting interest from various teams, GM Brian Cashman indicated the Yankees’ push to land Yamamoto in the Bronx.
Amidst the conjecture surrounding the possibility of Yamamoto securing a deal surpassing $200 million, in addition to a posting fee designated for his former club, Cashman has maintained regular communication with Yamamoto’s agent, Joel Wolfe. He refrained from confirming whether an in-person meeting has been officially arranged with the pitcher, though it appears highly likely. The organization also intends to enlist ex-star Hideki Matsui’s assistance in the recruitment process, following a strategy akin to the one employed in luring Masahiro Tanaka back in 2014.
Boone admits to meeting Yamamoto
Manager Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees crossed paths with Japanese pitching sensation Yamamoto, albeit briefly. The Yankees are eagerly anticipating the outcome of Boone’s serendipitous encounter with the 25-year-old right-hander, hopeful that it will prove advantageous for the team in the future.
On Tuesday at Major League Baseball’s annual winter meetings, Boone mentioned that he had met Yamamoto once in the past, and he expressed his intention to meet him again. When asked for additional information, Boone conveyed that the situation seemed largely coincidental.
Boone explained that the encounter happened casually at some point in the winter when they crossed paths. He mentioned that they were both in the same location, and he was introduced to him.
Cashman hints at Yankees’ pursuit of Yamamoto
Even though it remains early in the proceedings, the Yankees and Mets are currently viewed as leading contenders in the competition for Yamamoto. It is not anticipated that the right-handed pitcher will finalize a deal during this week’s Winter Meetings. However, given the extensive interest from teams across the league, reports suggest that his asking price is increasing steadily.
Anticipating a competitive bidding scenario for Yamamoto’s services, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, among others, is prepared for a potential bidding war. In the event that such a situation arises, Cashman affirms that the team is prepared to present their most compelling offer.
He stated that they would approach it based on what they deemed best. The Yankees GM mentioned that they would compete, acknowledging uncertainty about the offers from other teams. Emphasizing the need to present their most compelling offer, he expressed hope that it aligns well with Yamamoto’s expectations. He confirmed that they have engaged in conversations, conducted thorough scouting, and are committed to putting forth their best efforts in the process.
Yamamoto stands out as the highly sought-after international free agent this offseason, having compiled an impressive record of 68-29 with a 1.84 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over seven seasons in Japan. The Yankees dedicated scouts to assess Yamamoto’s performance throughout the year with the Orix Buffaloes.
Brian Cashman, the general manager of the New York team, revealed that they had a representative present at every one of Yamamoto’s games. He personally attended one of the games where the ace pitcher threw a no-hitter.
Cashman mentioned that he did not gain any new insights into Yamamoto’s talent, attributing this to the thorough efforts of Yankees scouts. The New York team was aware of the possibility of Yamamoto being posted, which would allow major league teams to sign him as a free agent. In their pursuit of him, they aimed to leave no stone unturned.
Acknowledging that other teams also dispatched their staff to observe the Japanese ace, Cashman emphasized that he was not willing to make the error of not being present himself.
Yankees go strong on Yamamoto
The Yankees have conducted thorough scouting and demonstrated significant interest in Yamamoto as he approaches being posted this offseason. Cashman went to the extent of traveling to Japan to witness one of his starts earlier this year.
Cashman is well aware that achieving this won’t be a simple task, especially if it turns into a competitive bidding scenario involving Steve Cohen and the Mets. He expressed uncertainty about anyone being able to compete against Steve Cohen, but assured a focus on the Yankees’ priorities, stating that he would concentrate on their specific objectives. Acknowledging the player’s significance, he expressed their intention to compete for him and see the outcome, whether it proves to be sufficient or not. Emphasizing the team’s current robust setup, he expressed the desire to augment it if possible.
The Yankees went so far as to retain his No. 18 over the last two seasons, a jersey number typically designated for aces in Japan. Both the general manager and manager Aaron Boone concurred that he would make an excellent addition to the Yankee pinstripes.
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