It was recently reported that Yoshinobu Yamamoto would soon be flying to the United States to meet with interested clubs and Jon Morosi of MLB.com relays today that the Yankees are expected to meet with him on Monday. It seems like Mets owner Steve Cohen wanted to get a headstart on the proceedings, as Will Sammon of The Athletic reports that he flew to Japan to meet with Yamamoto last week.
The Mets have long been connected to Yamamoto, even though they are supposedly taking something of a step back in 2024. Under normal circumstances, a top free agent fits best with a win-now club. Since most players reach free agency close to their 30th birthday, a long-term deal will likely see them at their best in the early parts of the contract. But Yamamoto is a special case, since he is only 25. Even if the Mets feel they will have a better shot at competing in 2025 and beyond compared to 2024, Yamamoto will still be able to hopefully offer them many prime years. Their excitement around Yamamoto is apparently strong enough that Cohen took the initiative of meeting with him in Japan.
The rotation in Queens has plenty of question marks and Yamamoto would be a logical target. They currently have Kodai Senga, José Quintana and Luis Severino in three spots, while the back end is less certain. Players like Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi and José Butto are on the roster but each of them is arguably better utilized in a depth role than as part of the Opening Day rotation. David Peterson will miss the first half of the season due to hip surgery. Furthermore, Quintana and Severino are each slated for free agency after 2024, giving the club even less certainty in the long term.
Although signing Yamamoto might be a long play for the Mets, it would still come with significant short-term costs. The club currently has a competitive balance tax figure of $277MM, per Roster Resource, well beyond next year’s base threshold of $237MM and on the line of the third tier. Since they paid the tax in 2022 and 2023, they are set to be a third-time payor next year. There are escalating tax rates for paying in consecutive years, putting them in line for a 95% tax on spending beyond the third tier and then a 110% rate for spending beyond the fourth and final tier of $297MM.
Then there’s also the posting fee that will be due to the Orix Buffaloes, the Nippon Professional Baseball club that posted Yamamoto recently. MLBTR predicted Yamamoto for a contract of nine years and $225MM, which would also come with a posting fee of $35.625MM. Some recent speculation around Yamamoto’s popularity has suggested the bidding could push closer to $300MM, which would also push the posting fee up as well.
The Yankees have also been connected to Yamamoto for quite some time and they have a somewhat similar payroll situation to the Mets, as they are also set to be a third-time payor in 2024. Roster Resource currently pegs their payroll at $246MM and their CBT figure at $257MM. However, they are reportedly close to acquiring Juan Soto from the Padres today, which would quickly change those figures, depending on the final deal. Soto is projected for an arbitration salary of $33MM while Michael King, who is reported to be part of the package going the other way, has a projected salary of $2.6MM. It’s possible the final deal will change things but it’s possible the Yanks will add about $30MM to their books in the swap.
It appears that wouldn’t take them out of the running for Yamamoto, as Andy Martino of SNY reports the club is willing to surpass a $300MM payroll next year. That would be a bump from last year, with RR having their 2023 payroll finishing at $273MM and their CBT at $294MM.
But adding Yamamoto would give a boost to a rotation that got a Cy Young performance from Gerrit Cole but little else. The club will be hoping for bouncebacks from Carlos Rodón and Nestor Cortes after injury-marred campaigns while King appears to be headed to San Diego. Pitchers like Clarke Schmidt and Randy Vásquez are on the roster but an external addition or additions would be warranted.
The Yankees and Mets have been two of the clubs connected to Yamamoto most often but certainly not the only ones. Given his youth and talent, he is one of the most popular free agents this winter. The Phillies, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Tigers, Cardinals, Cubs, Rangers, Diamondbacks, Giants, Padres, and Dodgers have also been rumored to have interest, with some unnamed clubs perhaps in the mix as well. The 25-year-old Yamamoto has a 1.82 ERA in his NPB career and is coming off a dominant 1.21 ERA in 2023. It’s unknown how many of those clubs he will meet with in the coming weeks but his posting window is open until January 4.
Steve: Hey, Yoshi! Thoughts on joining the Mets?
Yoshi: Oh, the LoLMets, the team that consistently challenges the notion of winning streaks and championships. I mean, who wouldn’t want to join a team with such an impressive collection of participation ribbons? It’s every athlete’s dream to be associated with a franchise that keeps the excitement alive by never quite clinching those elusive titles. Pure excellence, indeed!
More like Cohen let’s him know he can put a lot of 0s on a check.
So can the Giants, Dodgers and other clubs
Somehow I don’t think Cohen mentioned the Giants, Dodgers, or other clubs.
Neal, I don’t think he has too….
“Lot of 0s on a check” The money will be HUGE wherever this guy, Yamamoto, goes. I think the Japanese players are more concerned with the City, winning, lifestyle and “fit”. I highly doubt that Cohen’s money will be the deciding factor.
They are also concerned with respect. Cohen won huge points by doing this. It makes him the favorite to land Yamamoto if he wasn’t already.
This is just word salad. We have no idea what Yamamoto wants or how Cohen presented himself. It sounds great, but we are not insiders.
So glad everything worked out! No Yamamoto for you! Lolololololol!
Saving uniform number 18 is much more enticing than a billionaire flying on his private jet to Japan. Advantage Yankees in what seems to be the battle of what may be meaningless gestures by the NY Teams.
Yamamoto should tell the Yankees he won’t sign unless he gets No. 3. 😉
The move of an elite businessman to try and close an acquisition. I bet he wasn’t the only club to do this, they just kept it low key
It means that if Yama doesn’t sign with the Mets it wasn’t because Cohen didn’t want him and he doesn’t take the most money. Let’s be honest Cohen is not going to get outbid on dollars on a contract. Years maybe but not money.
Another thing to remember he’d be the Ace of the Mets staff not the Yankees. That’ll play a little.
Such was the case with Fedde.
I imagine he was wanted, but not at 2/15.
dude wasn’t worth 7.5per… his numbers are atrocious in American stateside bb. yeah, woopdeedooo he pitched great overseas… people didn’t know him and I’m sure his numbers would’ve declined this year for such. but he has a track record here. was he worth a gamble at the MOST of 5mil a year? possibly… but not worth it at 7.5 when there should already be questions as it is
Success overseas, has been a pretty decent predictor of success coming back. Usually the player made one key adjustment, and finds new success. It’s happened countless times. It may flame out in a year or two but that’s all he’s signed for. Teams take these financial risks on middle relievers all the time. Now a SP isn’t worth it?
He has pedigree, and he got amazing results with the more horizontal slider in Japan.
It’s not a stupid move, whether it works or not.
I’ll let you know if the slider changed once the statcast data starts flowing.
More than likely, Cohen wanted Yamamoto to understand, he will build for the future and money will not deter him from building a powerful team. As the team sits right now, it doesn’t look like a good landing spot.
But, I’m a Tigers Fan. Harris will explain the Tigers are an up & coming team. I expect them to win him or go deep into the Bidding.
With Fetter, Hinch & the Brass Above, Detroit is a good Landing Spot for a Pitcher of his quality.
Psh.
The Yankees are going to give up all their pitching in Soto trade and miss out on Yamamoto too?
Hysterical.
Seems Cashman is trying his best to keep his job and seeing as he’s all but gotten his two left handed OFers, Yankees still need pitching. With what they’re giving up for Soto (allegedly) I’d expect them to be in the running for Yamamoto.
What is actually hysterical is the notion that Michael King and an unproven minor leaguer is all their pitching.
Their pitching isn’t terrible by any means they have Gerrit Cole coming off a Cy Young Award and some down years from others. Adding Yamamoto or another front line starter along with the other moves they’ve made would make them pretty good.
Not a Yankees fan by any stretch. But they will acquire whatever additional pitching they need. No way they bring in Soto and dust off their hands and call it a year, especially after missing the playoffs.
Like they did last year?
They unloaded the truck for Rodon, so yeah. They went into last year with:
1. Cole
2. Rodon
3. Cortes
4. Montas
5. Severino
6. Schmidt
7. German
8. Brito
There was every reason to think the rotation would be a strength. They had an outlandish amount of injuries that virtually no team could have weathered.
I share your sentiment. In no way a fan either, just wouldn’t make sense for them to get Verdugo and Soto without adding pitching.
If they miss the playoffs again, Cashman is fired. He’s going to be bold because he has no choice, really. The Soto trade and to an extent, the Verdugo one, are examples of this boldness.
100%
if im yankees brass, and i see clarke shmidt still exists….yeah….we need more pitching.
So they can trade him at the deadline and pay all his contract for another team.
Mets weren’t ever going to stop spending just decided to get younger, and Yamamoto fits that. He also said he wants another Japanese player on his team and senga did better than expected so he can help him adjust quicker to the mlb. I’m not a Mets fan but it makes too much sense.
Ok, homer.
Rex hudler is a former angels player and was a announcer dip stick, not a homer because I don’t like beer or donuts.
Throw a tantrum much?
His agent said that quote about wanting another Japanese player on the team was mistranslated and was instead saying it wouldn’t be a problem if another Japanese player was on the acquiring team.
His agent is just saving face, anyway it doesn’t matter he’s going to get paid.
Ok, homer.
I heard the reds sent him some cheese coneys
I’d pitch for that!
Goldstar or skyline
Michigan, Kogel’s all the way.
John Angelos of the Orioles sent Yoshi a subscription to the “Jelly of the Month” club. Home to the club is Granny’s Jellies and Jams
He did this in lieu of meeting him
RIP Ralph Cirella
I guess now Howard is going to get a buzz cut?
Very smart of Cohen. Being a student of Japanese culture, I think this effort will be very appreciated by Yamamoto and put the Mets in high regard.
Depends on previous work by his minions. If he is compensating for coming in late, maybe not so much. If he is putting the icing on a cake that has already been well prepared, for sure.
Cohen is well-versed in Japanese culture. His hedge fund has partnerships with the Softbank Group which is one of the largest investment firms in the world.
I’m sure he is. I worked for one of there more traditional companies for 13 years. Went over there dozens of times. My point is they work long. Really long. You got to put in the time.
If Cohen really wants him, he won’t be outbid. He’s proven that is the past.
Agreed this will probably spark a bidding war and if Cohen wants him he’s not going to be outbid. Now if he has a preference to play somewhere else maybe that influences him.
After the Yankees acquire Soto, they will have the Momentum to entice Yamamoto. Cashman is on a roll. ( Soto + Moto ) Lol Mets
This made me chuckle.
I was never loved as a child, and I will die alone. Lolmets.
300 mil for this guy is crazy.
Yamamoto is a popular Japanese player, and Japan already broadcasts every angels game because of ohtani they would probably do the same if not already because senga, plus he wants a lot of opt outs they can cut lose if cohen wants to reset the tax line. He has better numbers than senga in Japan, and senga had a 2.95 era in the mlb.
at 5’10” 176lbs….they guy has some filling out to do. Always weary when players who start every 7+ days apart now have to start every 5 days.
Marcus stroman is 5’7 I wouldn’t worry about height too much. I’m sure 5’10 is more normal than you think.
And hes averaging about 130-140 IP per year since hes been in the league. Not a model citizen for a healthy player.
He was throwing 200 innings the same age as Yamamoto, and point being 5’10 isn’t that bad. It’s about the throwing motion
If he’s healthy Lucchesi could be a solid 5 starter. He has 2 respectable years for the Padres and so far in his time with the Mets he’s been effective when out there.
Zaidi and Putila were in Japan meeting with him last month so they got the head start on Cohen, not Cohen getting the head start on everyone else. Come to SF Yoshi!
Hit the nail on the head…Giants have to be all in on him…everything they’ve got.
Andrew Friedman was in the hospital room when Yamamoto was born and made sure to now to his parents so the edge goes to the Dodgers!
*bow
Maybe he’s his dad?!! Haha
Peter McGowan went to Japan and had an affair with Yamamoto’s Mum 26 years ago. Advantage Giants.
What Cohen did shows mad respect. That will go over incredibly well in the Japanese culture.
Biggest pocketbook, incredibly smart move in flying to meet him instead of expecting him to come to you, and solid team that just needs more pitching. I think Cohen is making all the right moves.
Yes, Cohen got himself massive brownie points. Japanese love this way of courtship since they’re very traditional with business transactions. Probably brought some flower arrangement too, they love that stuff.
It’s a different approach to the game when the owner grew up a fan of the franchise. Not all decisions hinge on business principals. It’s actually nice to see that Cohen tries to make moves that the fans will appreciate, not moves only made to satisfy the Accountants.
I hope my boy Stevie brushed up on his keigo on the flight over.
Maybe. Depends if he is going in with a foundation that has already been built. They will show copious amounts of respect no matter what, but they aren’t stupid. Long term interest and effort gets you further. Like the approach the Padres had with Lee. They know who has done the work.
14 years, $400MM with mutual out after year 9. Done.
Owners that meddle in team affairs always do really well. It’s the smart play for sure.
And let’s be honest, if you’re a baseball player, do you want to meet the owner first? I’d want to meet with the manager, the PBO, pitching coach and marketing director.
How do you know they weren’t there as well?
Just basing it on the Mets history of disfunction.
Meh, Giants brass were over there like a month ago.
Exactly Benny, Zaidi and Putila were there last month. I wrote that above but nobody noticed because they were too engrossed in their east coat bias
Yamamoto will appreciate the gesture, at least the Giants were smart enough to utilize Japanese culture into their business tactics.
they were there to scout, not meet with him personally.
When a free agent target visits San Francisco, what do they do with all their street trash and junkies?
Every big city has that problem…
Blahblahblah
They just show him the clean area… like in mother Russia.
He’ll be a Met. It’s the digits.
Yamamoto in the old English D, Wow!
Steve Cohen is a cartoon super villain and the Mets are going to get superstars for years to come. It’s going to be a ton of fun for Mets fans despite this recent stretch of frustration. I don’t see the Mets going too far this year, but 25 and beyond is going to be wild.
Cartoon super villain made me laugh out loud.
I think that’s how most of us Mets fans viewed George Steinbrenner for decades.
desperate much, stevie?