Dive into the latest development as the Boston Red Sox prepare to meet Yoshinobu Yamamoto, potentially outbidding the New York Yankees for the sought-after pitcher. Discover the implications of this move in the MLB landscape.
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- The Boston Red Sox are set to meet with Orix Buffaloes ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, intensifying the MLB free-agent pursuit.
- Yamamoto, a sought-after pitcher, is also in talks with other MLB teams including the New York Yankees, potentially leading to a major shift in team dynamics.
- The 25-year-old ace, boasting impressive stats from his NPB career, could command a contract between $250 million and $300 million.
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Yankees and Red Sox: A Rivalry Intensifies
The New York Yankees, having already met with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, are now facing stiff competition from their biggest rival, the Boston Red Sox. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports that the Red Sox are scheduled to meet Yamamoto, who has already had discussions with the New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, and potentially the Toronto Blue Jays.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has already met with the Yankees, Mets and Giants, will meet with the Red Sox in the coming days, per source. Two or three more teams – including the Blue Jays – will also likely meet with him, sources said.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 12, 2023
Yamamoto, the best free-agent pitcher available, could land a deal spanning 7 to 10 years. If he signs with the Red Sox, it could significantly impact the Yankees for years to come.
Yamamoto’s Impressive Track Record
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has made a name for himself in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league. His recent performance includes a 16-6 record with a 1.21 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP, and 169 strikeouts over 164 innings.
He has won the Pacific League MVP and the Sawamura Award (NPB’s Cy Young equivalent) for three consecutive seasons. Over his seven seasons with Orix, Yamamoto boasts a 70-29 record with a 1.82 ERA and 0.935 WHIP, striking out 922 batters.
The Red Sox’s Pitch to Yamamoto
As the Jan 4 signing deadline approaches, the Red Sox are preparing to make their case to Yamamoto. Craig Breslow, the new chief baseball officer of the Red Sox, has highlighted pitching as a key priority. Securing Yamamoto would be a significant achievement for the Red Sox, signaling the team’s commitment to building a competitive lineup.
The Red Sox’s interest in Yoshinobu Yamamoto adds another layer to their historic rivalry with the New York Yankees. Yamamoto’s potential move to MLB is not just a big win for the team that signs him but a significant event in baseball, given his impressive track record in Japan.
