Japanese superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto is getting closer to Major League Baseball, both literally and figuratively. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the 25-year-old right-hander is coming to the United States “within the next week” to begin in-person meetings with his MLB suitors.
As previously reported by Andy Martino of SNY, Yamamoto planned to hold initial meetings with all interested teams over the phone or Zoom before traveling to North America to meet with the finalists for his services. Presumably, the phone call stage of the process is wrapping up, which suggests the star pitcher has already begun to narrow down his options. It remains unclear how many teams Yamamoto will be speaking with, although Puma reports that the Mets are one of the clubs to secure a meeting with the five-time NPB All-Star.
Martino’s initial report indicated that Yamamoto would not sign until after the Winter Meetings, and Puma’s update seems to confirm that timeline. While the righty must sign before his posting window closes on January 4 (if he is going to sign with an MLB team at all), that still gives him just over a month to make his choice.
There might not be much news about Yamamoto during the Winter Meetings, but still, it will be interesting to see how his timeline affects the rest of the starting pitching market. Plenty of teams are pursuing the righty, and they might prefer to wait until he signs elsewhere before turning to Plan B. Similarly, frontline starters like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery might be waiting for Yamamoto to set the market, which could make this a quiet week on the starting pitching front. Then again, perhaps teams with starters to trade will take advantage of such a lull; Tyler Glasnow of the Rays and Dylan Cease of the White Sox are already generating interest as the Winter Meetings get underway.
Let’s go BoSox time too flex that muscle ..
That what
That muscle that allowed them to spend and win the most titles this century…thats what
The muscle that put Millie in LA and Boegaerts I’m San Diego?
Who is Millie?
Mookie spell checker didn’t like his name the first go round.
gbs – Vanilli’s brother from another mother.
Mookie was traded to LA
Thanks for the news break.
and Boegaerts
Really coming from a mets fan?? Lolmets..go back to your glass house
What’s being a Mets fan got to do with anything? You are the one spotting Boston muscle when you let the best players in the game leave because you are to cheap to keep them.
Lol Mets, Boston chose to let Bogaerts leave; they *could* have paid him if they were bent on keeping him. Betts they traded; there’s plenty to discuss/debate on that, but that’s not exactly the same as trying to muscle and failing.
They choose to let two of the best players in the game walk and you’re talking about Boston muscle and lol Mets? You’re joking right?
I think length of contract had a lot to do with it, with Bogaerts, and David Price cost us Mookie. And as much as I miss them, I totally understand why…. Just common sense.
Common sense to let go of generational talent. That’s crazy talk. But I understand you must toe the line for the front office cos that’s what being a baseball fan to you, is all about right? Sad.
Stop making a fool out of yourself. Remind me how many championships the Mets have this century.
they have none but the best one they won was against the Red Sox. you are talking history. the fact that the Red Sox won a few World Championships is wonderful but they don’t have any muscle left to flex. they have not been in the muscle flexing business for many years. the St Louis Cardinals have won a lot of championships but they don’t flex their muscles because they don’t have them.
You do realize that up till 2023 the red sox had one of the top payrolls in baseball for many years right?..now there is no cure for not spending wisely, you as a mets fan should know. Lol..but if spending over time = muscle the red sox have far exceeded anything the mets have done
Yes that muscle. The muscle that lets Jason Bay, Jacoby Ellsbury, Pedro Martinez, Nomar Garciapara, and many others all walk out of town and sign horrible, debilitating contracts that your Mets and other teams lived to regret.
The Mets didn’t regret signing Martinez .what are you talking about? The muscle of replacing them with Sandoval, Story, Sale, and Crawford.
Oh yeah I think the Red Sox probably have more crappy signings than some other teams. That’s a fact. Would have been double had they kept those over 30 guys seeking big contracts, some of whom I mentioned above.
Be honest though. You do wish Betts never left.
I’m one of those weirdos that likes change. I love the trading deadline and the offseason.
I was thinking the Red Sox should trade Mookie because I didn’t think he wanted to stay.
I think he wanted the test the market and I always likened him to Andrew mccutcheon. A 5-10 stud with power, MVP candidate, but flamed out at age 35.
With all these 10-year contracts I didn’t think Betts would work out well even though mookie is a better player than Andrew mccutchen.
Just my thinking as a fan, no reason or logic behind it.
So I was eager to see what the Sox would get for Mookie Betts in a trade and it wound up being four for one with perhaps two guys working out as regular players.
I Wasn’t sure that the Red Sox needed to get rid of Price.., he could have pitched the year for Boston and received another good young player instead.
But I guess they wanted to get under the luxury tax and reset, but it’s been 4 years and they haven’t spent that allowance they’ve gained to be back in the running for a championship !!
A little wordy here but that’s my thinking as a fan for 50 years.
Yes Pablo Sandoval hurt. I don’t think the guy was ever serious about improving himself or his game. He’s one of those guys who steps up to the plate and makes it happen without working at it I think.
Went to Boston and everything caved in.
When is the last time the Mets won a World Series again?
Just saying it’s kind of stupid to attempt to mock a team that has 4 World Series titles since the last time the Mets have won one.
I love how Boston fans think no me else can talk because they had a good twenty year run. The Red Sox did win four but then they got real cheap and have been a bad team lately but Redsox fans still talk trash. The Red Sox were the best organization in baseball for a 15 year run but aren’t even close any more.
Closer than the Mets, who haven’t had a dominate run since the mid 80s.
I’m letting you talk and you don’t need my permission anyway. I enjoy the back and forth and I think it’s civilized and you are not calling me nasty names, yet.
Knowledgeable, passionate fans are always a welcome thing here as far as I’m concerned. Especially since I only have one of the two qualifications lol.
You’re 0-2 in that comment but nice try.
good job bringing up players the Red Sox let walk away 15 years ago. Martinez signed with the Mets in 2005 that was 18 years ago stick to the topic. this year this year this year the Red Sox don’t have Financial Muscle like the Mets and Yankees and Dodgers do
irrelevant. the only thing that matters is this year and last year and last year the Red Sox did not Flex their financial muscles and the Mets did and they use that money to then buy a farm system. they have one of the top ones in baseball now and are set up for the next 5 to 10 years
Metzfan you’re right. Times sure flies it just seems like yesterday. But I still think the Red Sox will Flex their muscle and spend this off season. But it better happen pretty quick, the winter meetings started so no time like the present !!
Yep a good Farm is important. I think the Red Sox have a good farm system too. Now it’s time to spend money like the Mets do. Start flexing that muscle like maybe this week would be good !! lol.
Well, I hope Mone Elias zoomed Yoshi and convinced him to give consideration to the Orioles and promised him a Bkog Powell Kielbasa dinner and Pulled Pork BBQ for life
I know that would convince me to come to Baltimore
I know a Japanese restaurant in Cincinnati that would give him some food he really likes!
I would be over the moon if the reds shelled out for yamamoto
Would have really liked to have seen The Cardinals dive in and be aggressive on Yamamoto!!! But settling for Lynn and Gibson is more their style! Here is my best guess as to where these Free agents land.
1. Ohtani-Dodgers
2. Yamamoto-Yankees
3. Snell-Giants
4. Montgomery-Rangers
I say Hader goes to the Cubs
I think I have to say that the Red Sox will go strong and do whatever it takes for Yamamoto.
They need two starters and at least one top of the rotation guy and he seems to be about the best sure thing out there.
I think without signing that guy the offseason would be a failure even if they picked up Montgomery.
I would put Yamamoto 100% to the red sox. Really not sure about any of the other guys lol.
I don’t think Hoyer is going to invest the type of money Haders going to get on a reliever.
Pretty smart prediction I hope it comes true. Not sure about Hader where he will land. High priced closers aren’t as popular as they used to be. With his talent he should get paid.
Yamamoto to Seattle. Then Seattle trades pitching to fill their roster holes
Your guess is as good as mine. Should be a wild week
I’m not old enough to remember 10 cent beer night but here’s two notable memories from my early years.
Sometime in the late ’80s or early ’90s, a dive bar near a Florida college campus, don’t ask me where, have not a clue anymore, had 25 cent beer night. The cups were small but the idea was fantastic.
#2 in La Jolla California, the Elephant Bar had $1 pitcher night on Tuesdays in the early 90s.
They were the smaller pitchers but still it was amazing crap show for sure.
There would be half-full pitchers everywhere. Along the window sills by the Dance Floor, on abandoned tables, lol. That went on for a year and a half or so. Crazy.
@ Gary : Not firing up the old rivalry here.. but I think the Sawx started to fall off after Theo. As a Yanks fan it was really Theo’s mind that demolished us. Francona led well too. I’m not sure if the new age of Cora or Boone for that matter will ever shine like Francona and Torre. Teams will fear the AL East again, but we both got some rebuilding to do there.
Yes absolutely !! I think you’re right on those points.
Quick side note I bumped into Joe Girardi last week and told him how much I respected him in how he conducted himself with the Yankees even though I’m a Red Sox fan.
It was so fantastic because for the next 15 minutes he talked about the Red Sox and the hiring of Craig Breslow etc. and what did I think about it. Wonderful conversation and just did more to affirm my love for the man. Great guy.
Looks like the Yankees are well on their way to that rebuild. Picking up Soto and Verdugo to plug in the outfield. Plus still a lot more available and the off-season is not over.
@Gary … Great story with Girardi! Waiting for the Sawx to fire off some big surprise. It feels like they’re waiting to ounce. If they nab Ohtani I’m gonna freak out lol. I’m reading Verdugo as a younger a little less mature more more fiery Brett Gardner… does that seem right? I’d like that in the club house. Soto is great… however I can’t keep this feeling in the back of my mind out that says Soto/Judge in the clubhouse be one / ARod/ Jeter. I don’t wanna go through that again.
Yes I didn’t think about that. There could be some Egos in play, but I believe because Aaron judge is older when he came up maybe 25 or 26 and 27 when he came into his own perhaps he’s more mature.. he already has his contract, he won’t be threatened and the egos will not come into play.
I think Judge has a handle on that. Well respected man.
Yep the Red Sox need a lot of help. I do think they get the Japanese guy because we really need him badly, and then go to trade route for another starter.
I think there’s a belief that some in-house candidates will step up and fill out the rotation and the bullpen is pretty good.
But then you get to the offense. Need some Mashers in the Outfield, a second baseman and a catcher lol. Pretty long list for Christmas.
Love the Yankees boldness and I always have. I like change and I like trades and free agent signings. LOL I should have been a Yankees fan all these years ha ha.
@Gary … we celebrate and welcome Red Sox Converts come on over my friend lol
It would make sense because of my appetites, but loyalty is a stronghold that pulls hard.
Been a fan since 1978 and if I can survive the horrible 80s and horrendous 90s, I can survive anything LOL
Ohtani, Snell-Dodgers
Yamamoto, Imanaga, Soler to Mets
Soto, Bellinger-Yankees
Hoskins, Hader-Cubs
Gurriel-Bosox
Feeling confident I’ll get 7 of 10 correct but I’ll take the Mets prediction.
Gurriel to boston wont happen they are stacked with OFers..could use a right handed bat but no need for an outfielder unless they trade the surplus
I’ll take those Met predictions but would rather have Hoskins so he can backup or take over for Alonso if the Mets need to trade him. If the Mets have to trade Alonso I’d say to the Cubs for Justin Steele, Ben Brown and PCA and the Mets will include Marte and Quintana if the Cubs really want Alonso they’ll have to take these other guys too lol, than Hoskins can be our 1b man.
Lol, Steele just finished 3rd in the NL CY and you think the Cubs are trading him ++ for one year of Alonso, not to mention PCA & Brown. Wow. I want whatever you’re smoking.
I’d love to see the Phillies pick up another arm.
We love you in SF already Yoshi!
Seems a clear case of writer retread. Same names etc. etc. Maybe they’re too busy to research.
Here’s the Dodgers play – trade pitching for Matt McLain. The Reds have a surplus, and McLain outperformed his StatCast so the team may be ok with moving him. McLain is also a SoCal guy through and through – Orange County raised/UCLA…
Whoops, posted on the wrong story…
Ohtani – Giants
Snell – Seattle
Yamamoto, Gilbert (from Seattle)-Boston
Burnes, Imanaga – Dodgers
E-Rod, Cease – Orioles
Bellinger, Giolitto – Yankees
Soto, Hader – Cubs
Montgomery, Stroman – Mets
There is much wrong.
Oh dear sweet Lord please Tigers do whatever it takes to sign him we need this So bad If not him then the I’ll Settle for the left-hander imanaga Or you know Ohtani lmao
But..what if hes the next daisuke mstsuzaka?
“And here we have an offer from [squinting] Derek Falvey of Minnesota….no, I believe it’s a real place. I think its part of Canada…. Mr. Falvey is curious if you might not want to injure your throwing arm and sign a 3 year contract that allows you to be paid while rehabbing.”
Dodgers sign Yamamoto, Ohtani, Snell, and trade for Cease Arozarena and Glasnow ^_^
Don’t forget getting Seager back and signing Hader to close
If the Mets want him, he’ll be a Met.