Japanese Ace Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto has officially hit the free-agent market!
Major league clubs have a 45-day negotiation period for the 25-year-old right-hander from the Orix Buffaloes (of the NPB).
Yamamoto’s impressive 2023 season caught the attention of MLB scouts and executives. The standout pitcher boasted a remarkable 16-6 record with a masterful 1.21 ERA, striking out 169 batters while issuing just 28 walks in 164 innings.
With a career record of 70-29 and a stellar 1.82 ERA over seven seasons with Orix, Yamamoto has proven himself as a dominant force on the mound.
It’s official. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has officially been posted! 🙌
Now let’s see where he ends up 👀 pic.twitter.com/TSMurIhuM1
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) November 21, 2023
One of the highlights of his season was a historic Game 6 in the Japan Series against Hanshin earlier this month.
Yamamoto set a Japan Series record with 14 strikeouts in a complete game effort, throwing 138 pitches … Despite his remarkable feat, Orix ultimately lost in Game 7.
Adding to his impressive resume, Yamamoto pitched his second career no-hitter in September against the Lotte Marines, marking the 100th no-hitter in Japanese big league history.
MLB executives, including New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, witnessed the game, where Yamamoto extended his scoreless streak to 42 innings.
A two-time Pacific League MVP, Yamamoto’s dominance extends beyond domestic competition. In the World Baseball Classic in March, he showcased his talents on the international stage.
His diverse repertoire includes a mix of fastballs, splitters, curveballs, cutters, and sliders.
Several teams are expected to pursue Yamamoto, including the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants and Padres, among others.
Interestingly, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported an unconfirmed rumor he heard that Yamamoto may prefer to land with a west-coast club…
“The Mets have been linked to Yamamoto following their success with Kodai Senga, but true or not, some believe Yamamoto may prefer the West Coast (as Shohei Ohtani did six years ago). If so, the Dodgers, Giants and Padres may have the edge … File this under rumor – for now,” Heyman said.
.@JonHeyman is putting this under the rumor tab because he hasn’t been able to confirm it, but he’s hearing Yoshinobu Yamamoto might prefer the west coast.
Don’t care. Throw the bag at him and make this decision as hard as humanly possible.
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) November 15, 2023
Under the MLB-NPB agreement, the posting fee for Yamamoto’s services will be structured based on the terms of his eventual major league contract.
The fee will amount to 20% of the first $25 million, 17.5% of the next $25 million, and 15% of any amount exceeding $50 million.
Additionally, there will be a supplemental fee of 15% for earned bonuses, salary escalators, and exercised options.
Where do you think Yamamoto will end up?
Will he live up to the hype???