25-Year-Old Japanese Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto Drawing Widespread MLB Interest
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the top pitcher in Japan at just 25 years old, has officially opened his 45-day negotiation window with MLB teams. As expected, Yamamoto has already drawn widespread interest from numerous teams, with agent Joel Wolfe of Wasserman stating that he has heard from 11 to 14 clubs in just the first day of the negotiation period.
“This is by far the player with the most interested teams that I have ever seen at the beginning of free agency,” said Wolfe. It is clear that Yamamoto is not restricting himself geographically, further adding to the flexibility for potential suitors.
The list of MLB teams linked to Yamamoto seems to grow by the day, with the Cardinals, Phillies, Diamondbacks, Tigers, Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays, Cubs, Giants, Red Sox, and Dodgers all reportedly expressing interest in the Japanese ace. With such a young talent hitting free agency, both contending and non-contending clubs are expected to pursue Yamamoto aggressively.
Having won three straight Sawamura Awards in Japan, the equivalent of the MLB’s Cy Young Award, Yamamoto is expected to command a hefty contract, possibly in excess of $200 million plus the requisite posting fee. With a brilliant track record in Japan, including a career-best 1.21 ERA in 2023, Yamamoto is regarded as a legitimate No. 1 or No. 2 caliber arm in a big league rotation.
Any team that signs Yamamoto will owe a posting/release fee to the Buffaloes, the equivalent of 20% of the contract’s first $25 million, plus 17.5% of the next $25 million, and 15% of any money thereafter. With the substantial demand for him, it wouldn’t be surprising if any deal includes an opt-out clause, allowing him to return to free agency in his late 20s after establishing himself as a top-of-the-rotation arm in the Majors.
As Yamamoto’s negotiation period continues, the speculation and interest surrounding his potential move to MLB will undoubtedly continue to grow.