NPB ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto is in the process of meeting with interested MLB clubs and is slated to meet with both the Red Sox and Blue Jays in the coming days, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Yamamoto met with the Yankees yesterday and the Giants on Sunday. Mets owner Steve Cohen reportedly flew to Japan to meet with Yamamoto before his current slate of team visits in North America. That’s a total of five known teams meeting with Yamamoto, and Feinsand suggests another two or three teams could also hold meetings.
The Blue Jays, after missing out on Shohei Ohtani, figure to have both the motivation and money to pursue a significant upgrade (or upgrades) to other areas of the roster. Yamamoto obviously wouldn’t impact the 2024 lineup like signing Ohtani would have, but installing him into a rotation that also features Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios and Chris Bassitt would make for a formidable top four. If Alek Manoah can regain his 2022 form or if Yusei Kikuchi can continue his 2023 performance levels, a Toronto rotation including Yamamoto could rank as one of the best in the game and have solid depth beyond the top quintet.
Over in Boston, the need is arguably more acute. The Red Sox’ rotation is rife with question marks, perhaps none bigger than what the team can expect from oft-injured top starter Chris Sale. The 34-year-old lefty was serviceable in 2023 when healthy, but he was again limited by injury. Last year’s 120 2/3 innings were Sale’s most since 2019. He posted a 4.30 ERA in that time, albeit with excellent strikeout and walk rates of 29.4% and 6.6%, respectively. Beyond Sale, Boston’s rotation ranges from inexperienced to inconsistent; Brayan Bello, Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck and Kutter Crawford are all in the mix for innings.
Both teams can likely fit a massive commitment to Yamamoto onto the long-term books without significant issue. Doing so for the Jays would raise further questions about the team’s ability and/or desire to extend cornerstones Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but those questions will exist in some regard anyway, as both are now two years from free agency and still going year-to-year in arbitration. Toronto will see Kikuchi and reliever Yimi Garcia come off the books in 2025. Bassitt, Bichette, Guerrero and Chad Green are all off the books come 2026. Roster Resource pegs the Blue Jays’ payroll commitments over the next three years at approximately $203MM, $116MM and $65MM. Berrios is their only player signed beyond 2026.
For the Red Sox, the long-term outlook is similarly open for a sizable free-agent deal. Sale’s $145MM contract expires after the upcoming 2024 season. Rafael Devers, Trevor Story and Masataka Yoshida are all signed through at least 2027. However, as it stands, the Sox only have about $76MM on the books in ’25 and similar or declining totals thereafter. That payroll outlook, combined with the considerable uncertainty that permeates the starting staff, is why the Sox are active in top tiers of the rotation market and have been prominently linked to the likes of Yamamoto and Jordan Montgomery.
Yamamoto, 25, is among the most sought-after players to ever make the jump from Nippon Professional Baseball to Major League Baseball. He’s won three straight MVP Awards and Sawamura Awards (NPB’s Cy Young equivalent) and just wrapped up a season that saw him post a 1.21 ERA in 164 innings. Yamamoto has a career 1.72 ERA in seven NPB seasons, including sub-2.00 marks in four of his past five campaigns. MLB scouts and evaluators generally view him as a legitimate No. 1-2 starter in a big league rotation. A contract north of $200MM has long seemed plausible, but recent speculation about a deal closer to $300MM has begun to arise.
Because Yamamoto has under nine years of NPB service, he’s only available to MLB clubs via the MLB/NPB posting system. Any team that signs Yamamoto will not only owe him the value of the contract agreed upon by the two parties, but also a release fee to the Orix Buffaloes — Yamamoto’s now-former team. That fee is equivalent to 20% of the contract’ first $25MM ($5MM), 17.5% of the next $25MM ($4.375MM) and 15% of any dollars paid to Yamamoto thereafter.
Time to find out if the new Red Sox team can bring in the goods.
The Red Sox do not have the means or the fanfare to pull that particular deal off. I know you’re Red Sox fan, but reality is he’s either going to sign with the Mets, the Yankees, or the Dodgers. And that’s the bottomline.
ぎゃはは ! !
I think the Red Sox can pull it off. “Means or fanfare?” What does that even mean? I think your assumption is off – way off and that’s the bottom line.
Because Stone Cold said so.
I’m really disappointed in you folks right now.
Juggy you’re better off not commenting.
And that’s the bottom line.
Why couldn’t they pull it off? Money is there, small core, need more and fans are great!
Sox ownership screwed up with DD. Ownership thought they could lower payroll after 19. The pandemic also played into it. Say what you want about Bloom but he left the team with money to spend and prospects to mature or trade. Ownership overspent on Devers but good for him. Now they need to energize the fan base like they did when they first bought the team. Shrewd moves doesn’t have to mean overspending but in the case of Yamamoto, they need to upstage others and tell the other 29 teams, Boston is back and looking for their fifth championship of the 21st century.
If ya gonna take a risk and over spend, it’s for a talent like Yamamoto. A career sub 2 era in the 2nd best baseball league in the world? Yup that’s blank check territory, now that covid is over and both Rousch-Fenway racing and Liverpool FC are back generating revenues (€702 million for Liverpool last year 3rd in Europe) The Rousch-Fenway organization definitely has the money to go after Yamamoto. I think people forget LeBron James is part of the Fenway ownership group, John Henry isn’t the only billionaire.
Sure, because the Red Sox don’t have a large market with a massive fan base and are not shy to spend big money…
Juggy. ..the means or fanfare?..exactly what are you trying to say? They certainly have the money as thier owner is a billionaire several times over and and the fanbase is massive..have you heard of a little network named NESN..granted they didnt spend last year but prior they had the highest or one of the highest payrolls in mlb for the past decade
The Mets owner is 8x his net worth. Almost every owner is a billionaire.
I disagree. I don’t think Mets, Dodgers, and Yankees will be as aggressive as the Red Sox or Jays this time around.
I gave Jays and a hard time about Ohtani, but after missing out on him, they’ve got money to spend and Yamamoto is an immediate need for the Red Sox.
Dodgers have the money but I think they’ll look to make smarter deals after Ohtani. Same with Yankees after Soto, especially if they have any chance in resigning Soto. Mets are in it, but after last year, who knows if they’ll spend as aggressively.
The Mets flew to Japan the first day they could and the Yankees scouted every one of his games. They are by far the most aggressive teams on him.
It seems that way, as they are the favorites but Red Sox have the money and if they feel they really want him, could probably give similar figures.
I personally think giving too too much is a bad idea because it can get unreasonable.
Better than Dice-K for sure? Also, Sox shouldn’t commit so much cheddah to a pitcher. Pitchers coming over get injured due to mound height and different ball.
Cleveland, main difference is they pitch once a week in Japan.
I agree and disagree.
On the one hand, Yamamoto is potentially the best option out there. I don’t trust any other free agents. I do like Montgomery, but his price tag is a lot. This guy has ace potential. In a sense, it’s a good risk.
On the other hand, like you said, it could turn out bad. But it’s almost worth a shot for this one, especially because there’s been so much pressure for the Red Sox to spend and succeed. Breslow has claimed we need pitching. Yamamoto is probably the best option out there.
Red Sox, Blue Jays To Meet With Yoshinobu Yamamoto
So, why can’t the Orioles?
They defer contracts with the best of them!!!!
Wow lst Ohtani’s going to Toronto, in his pretend jet, now Yamamoto is going there too! Lolololololol!!!
I wouldn’t laugh. At the very least their involvement means the Yankees are likely to pay way more for him than they would have liked if they get him. Rogers and the Jays are looking to make a splash. They may not get him, but they will at least make the team who does pay through the nose for the privilege.
The Yankees wanted Ohtani, are you really sure? I guess you are talking about Yamamoto? From what we are hearing it definitely sounds like Yamamoto will go sign with the highest bidder, so take the $ you were going to sign Ohtani with and sign Bellinger and Yamamoto with it instead.
I was referring to Yamamoto.
I would be all for that if they could pull it off. Maybe not the Bellinger part though. I’m not sure I trust him. It does bode well that as soon as he was healthy his game picked back up, but can he stay healthy?
You forgot Soto too…..
Yamamoto to Boston. Sorry Michael Cohen.
Not if he’s looking for a big stage as reported, and major marketing endorsements….sorry Beantown but Gulf and Duncan commercials with Ben Afleck. ain’t making it compared to LA, and New York (either team)…..
Steve Henry rolling out the Red Liverpool carpet.
Who’s Steve Henry?
John’s lesser known evil twin
Michael Cohen getting involved would be a plot twist.
How about Jeffrey Epstein then??
Together they’d probably still be a more popular ownership team in New York than the Wilpons or Dolans.
*Stevie
He’s going to sign with the Yankees.
Wouldn’t surprise me if he goes to the dodgers .
Odds are with the yearly payroll Ohtani saved them, they would be the big gorilla in the room with Yamamoto……..
Someone said it was miss translated still don’t buy it, but he wants to join a team with a Japanese player senga or ohtani would help him adjust to the mlb hitters quickly.
Who would help him adjust easier than his best friend/former teammate Masataka Yoshida?
They would be anyway. The Yankees are ready to spend too. They didn’t trade for one year of Soto for nothing.
Soto is a Boras client. He’s already turned down a 440 million dollar offer from Washington. He’s going to free agency and will sign with whoever offers him the most money
Why waste time. He’s a dodger.
Why do you say he’s gonna be a dodger? Is it because they signed Otani? That doesn’t mean anything. Don’t be too sure where he signs because you have no idea what’s going through his mind
The Red Sox are NOT going to get him. They are just “interested.” They are meeting with him to appease the fans, so that they can say: “See? We tried.” They have no intention of signing him. They won’t spend the money. But I hope upon hope that they prove me wrong.
Name checks out
Good one! Thanks for the humor. I hope I’m wrong about Yamamoto.
Definitely a Felger & Mazz listener, Mazz says the Sox like to say “See,we tried” multiple times per show. Also hope you’re wrong.
Nope. I don’t listen to WEEI. All they ever talk about is football. Football, football, football! I don’t watch football. WEEI hasn’t been good since Dennis and Callahan.
Felger and mazz are on the sports hub 98.5 The number one station in Boston. Weei is sinking fast?
Didn’t know that. I thought they were on EEI.
Wow we’ve got a bunch of Hoornstra’s here, acting like they know something everyone else doesn’t.
I guess that’s the norm these days when people aren’t held accountable.
People making guesses in the comment section of a website with ‘rumors’ in the name.
Ohhh the outrage. We need more Accountability!
Red – There’s a big difference between saying “I think he will sign with _____” instead of pretending you’ve got inside information or know more than everyone else by saying “He’s going to sign with _____”.
Guesses are fine, just don’t act like an arrogant know-it-all who is supposedly stating facts.
Who are you, Hoornstra?
Its called ‘trash-talking’. Some people take it serious other dont, some have fun with it.
Just let it go.
Red – I’m actually fine with it, I think the Hoornstra thing just ticked me off as I hope I don’t see more false reports about major free agents in the coming month or two.
The irony of this statement and you being the one to say it is hilarious
Glad teams are giving Yamamoto a tour of cities in Canada and the US before he signs with the Dodgers.
Dodger fans remind me of Amber Heard, if their not the center of attention they leave a log on the bed.
Literally laughed out loud when I read this lmao
Me too!!!!!!!!
I met with Yamamoto too. He said **** the Dodgers.
go get your friend Yoshi
Anyone sign Brasier yet??? Come on “reunited and it feels……. Possibility of getting Snell/ Montgomery for a tad over YY salary when he signs with Pawtucket….
oimtant – Talking with a Dodger fan today. He thanked me for Brasier!!! I laughed out loud and said just wait. You and the Arizona Diamondbacks have some surprises coming with Brasier and E-ROD!!! Apparently Brasier has won over the LAD fans like he did the Boston fans until he showed his stuff. Roberts and Cora think a lot alike so lets count the losses LAD takes putting in Brasier in key spots.
Bichette is most definitely not going through arbitration anymore. He definitely signed a 3 year extension last off season
I get the point about wanting long-term deals with both but you’re right about Bo.
He’s meeting with everyone to tell them he’s signing with the Dodgers, isn’t he?
screw the BBWAA for what? miss information/fake news, reporters with no journalistic integrity(Heyman/Morosi). most of the USA liberal reporters are racists.
I think you’re being sarcastic? if not you’re a weirdo and an idiot
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if Yamamoto signed with Toronto and then they face LAD in the WS??!! I’d love it if that happened and then Yamamoto struck out Ohtani in the series
@n2thecards
Ohtani’s overrated..
Where are the damn Cubs? Boy, they sure talk a big game, but Hoyer is too risk adverse…
Cubs are out on Yamamoto. Imanaga might be more Jed’s speed.
Didn’t they ninja Craig Counsell?
Yamamoto is signing with the Mets.
Book it.
gonna be nine years, $342 million. $2 million annually for 2024-2032, then $36 million from 2033-2042.
Yes exactly. Yamamoto will be paid till he’s 97! Thank you, Shohei!
I predict Yamamoto will go to the team that offers him the most in terms of value to him (money plus other considerations).
Money, plus tips. And a lifetime supply of Pringles.
Pull out that big piece John Henry and pay this man 10/325
I love it! Mariners Playing everything close to the vest. They are like the Ohtani of MLB teams. Not saying anything. Keeping everything quiet. No rumors. Stay out of the spotlight….
Anyone here thinks he signs with NYY?
Yes, if by Yankees you mean Mets.
Yes, it’s between the Yanks, Mets, and LAD. I suspect that the Yankees will sign him because of statements he’s made as well as the fact that the Yankees minority owner is probably going to have influence over both the Yankees and Yamamoto.
What exactly were those statements?
He’s been reported to have interviewed and stated that he wants to play on “the biggest and brightest stage in MLB” and for a winning club. The biggest and brightest narrow it down to perhaps three clubs in my opinion, maybe only two – Yankees and LAD.
15 yrs/360MMM with 1/3 – 40% paid from 2038-2050
Lol as A Jay’s fan he isn’t coming here. Mets can offer more $.
BREAKING NEWS: This just in. Yamamoto is going to Toronto on Shohei Ohtani’s pretend jet, the wheels will never be getting off the ground though.
No the jet lands and its Kevin O’Leary this time. Everytime the jet lands its another dragons den personality
just me day dreaming…
Pirates should spend big and get him and Bauer.
At age 25 locking him up on a 6 year 30MAAV guarantee with an opt out going into year 4
And Bauer on a 4 year 25m AAV.
then get a vet 1b again similar to Santana who shouldn’t kill your offense and play acceptable defense with the hope of Nunez, Martin, Triolo or someone being able to take over
If the bats show up from the prospects then I would expect 90 wins being a realistic mark.
Yamamoto will be a Met. Toronto, move on to Snell. Boston, move on to Montgomery….
The posting fees and CBT implications are really expensive with Yamamoto. Why isn’t Snell a better overall value?
because he’s 6 years older and can barely pitch out of the 5th inning.
This one looks a lot like Tanaka. Did the Yankees get good value out of that contract?
Tanaka was a lot bigger.
I have a funny feeling he’s gonna be going to New York. The Yankees.
Breaking News “Jays in on everyone “…..
Breaking news: Ohtani jet found, with no Ohtani on it. Are the Jays goin pretend sign Cody Bellinger also?
As A Jay’s fan I don’t even want Bellinger. He had a decent year but had multiple bad years prior not worth the supposed 250 mill
He had a shoulder injury with almost 2 year average recovery rate, and when it recovered he raked again. I disagree
I don’t want him way too risky 3 bad years before this year.
Given th we contract that the dodgers just gave ohtonei. He get a contract with anybody. Here you go. 1m a year. Deferred
Let’s hope there are more of these deferred contracts. I’d like to see a $1B contract.
I love when you get a “funny feeling” then. I hope this continues.
This article is wrong. Bo Bichette is not yr to yr via arbitration. He signed a contract for his remaining arb years in 2022.
Just heard that Yamamoto is on a private jet to Kansas City. What can this mean?
Bichette isn’t going “year to year”. He signed a 3 year year prior to spring training. The 3 years do cover his remaining arbitration years.
Otahni’s best year was what’s 9 wins? These guys always get monster contracts then barely perform and then washout and disappear into the night. Whoever if the dumbest and throws the stupidest amount at this guy will get him. My vote is the Yankees or blue jays. 2 teams that can’t get past the Rays or Astros- now add the Twins to that list- if he’s smart he’ll go to the Dodgers or Astros.
Just my opinion, and it is based soley on Yamamoto wanting to play on a team with a current Japanese player on the roster. I think it will come down to the Mets (Senga) and the Red Sox (Yoshida). My thinking is no to the Dodgers because he will be overshadowed by Ohtani. Hopefully his friendship with Yoshida puts the Sox over the top, but If it is about getting “straight Cash Homey”, then he is Going to the Mets.
You Sox fans keep hoping that your defensively challenged Japanese left fielder and a bowl of chowder is enough to draw Yamamoto to your medium (not calling it small) market, so he can do commercials for Gulf and Duncan Donuts…..as compared to LA, Chicago, or NY (either team)…..and the major marketing opportunities those cities bring to the table.
Cooper, I am guessing you are forgetting the Jays also have a Japanese player on the roster, his name is Yusei Kikuchi and Atkins flew to Japan on three occasions to watch Yamamoto pitch last season.
Will go to the Dodgers with 102% deferred salary until 2050.
Breslow shows up. Shakes Yamamoto’s hand. Excuses himself. Drives off.
Breslow next day: Yes, I met with him.
Tyler ONeill is a better get than Yamamoto would be. I don’t think Sox fans understand what he’s capable of. Slot him at 3 and move Casas and Story down one and he’ll produce at an all star level.
Has Pikachu been posted?
I hope the Jays get Yam.
Red Sox ownership has a LOT of pressure to get Yamamoto or they need to make a splash trade. If O’Neill is the best they do with some shiny bobbles this may FINALLY be the offseason where they lose a ton up front in season ticket and early ticket sales. The tv ratings are already feeling it locally.
I still think ownership turned the attention from the Sox because it was a cash cow. They focused on buying the Penguins and creating the new soccer league in Europe. When the latter lawn darted I think it REALLY screwed up their plans and finances.
More crickets
I thought the Cubs were supposed to be going after it this off season?!?! ♂️
so nice for the future Dodgers to pretend they are interested in more teams than just the deferred contract Dodgers
After he goes to the Mets, Dodgers or Yankee
Sox Fans: “Ho hum”
Blue Jays Fan: “Epic Tantrum”
That’s what’s good for baseball
If the Blue Jays sign Yamato they can set the record for losing the most 1-0 games in mlb history.
The offense is the problem, they need BATS!
At this point, I see no reason Yamamoto will sign with Boston. Bad defense, a short left field porch, a bad manager, 1 all-star caliber hitter to help him win, an oft injured SP to be his #2 guy behind him. The past history of Japanese pitchers won’t mean Jack, the team mate who can’t field and is likely to DH instead of Devers won’t mean Jack.
Let’s face it, Bloom destroyed the Red Sox roster and that makes it so much harder to attract talent. All the last place finishes in a row. A dishonest manager may be a real obstacle to a Japanese player. Culturally, it seems to be a conflict.
We all are optimistic about the future and we all comment here so we don’t really get many outside perspectives. I got a West Coast perspective today and the friend who is a very knowledgeable baseball fan laughed at the idea Boston will out bid the Dodgers, Yankees, Toronto and others. He made the valid point of saying – What does Boston have to offer that isn’t better on most other teams bidding on him? Great point. Bloom got rid of all we had to offer except Devers and Devers takes the value of the team down by insisting on playing 3B and leading the majors in errors every year.
We are in sad shape and I have been optimistic that Breslow could turn this around quickly but after hearing a different perspective and evaluating it for accuracy, I think they are right. Boston is going to struggle to find quality players until the core group gets a lot better. They have a ton of money but will somebody be so shallow that they come to Boston for the money not to win? I’m not seeing it.
Breslow needs to take the up and coming young players and trade for star players. He is not going to get them through free agency bidding. He needs to target star pitching because Sale is gone in a year and at that point our #1 SP is Bello.
I hate to be doom and gloom but I got a huge taste of reality today. 2024 will be yet another last place finish unless Breslow can convince good pitchers to come to pitch where the 3B makes 50 misplays a year. He needs to find the top players on small market teams and spend the farm system to replace the big name players DD brought to Boston and Bloom pushed out of Boston.
Hoping to find my rose colored glasses soon but it hurts to see the reality of the situation.
He will sign with the Dodgers. Sorry Toronto.
Troll… my guy is a UFA!!! Dodgers just wasted all their money and don’t have enough for RB now!! Cue drop kick Murphys!!! Bring the protocol Son home!!!… Hate to say but I don’t think even Brais wants to pitch for us!!!
I agree. I think he loved Cora initially then soured on him as he kept making mistakes. You watch he’ll pop up somewhere else. Maybe as a Cub.
i can see why the official team sites took off the comment boards! what a bunch of clowns!
山本:過去20年間で最も多くのワールドシリーズチャンピオンシップを獲得したチームが必要な場合は、ボストン・レッドソックスのみのチームです。我々には素晴らしい若いコアがいて、次のWSチャンピオンチームとダイナスティの再建はほぼ完了しています。日本人投手と選手との長い歴史を持ち、ピッチングコーチ、CBO、ピッチングディベロップメントプレジデントを全面的に刷新。どちらにしても。。。ボストンは、この次の10年間で複数のリングを獲得するでしょう!だから、ボストンのスターになることもできますし、年老いたスターのローテーションの別の人になることもできます。エースも増えるし、プロデュースも増える。しかし、レッドソックス・ネイションと吉田は、フェンウェイ・パークで君が支配するのを待っている…野球の本当のメッカ!
山本:過去20年間で最も多くのワールドシリーズチャンピオンシップを獲得したチームが必要な場合は、ボストン・レッドソックスのみのチームです。我々には素晴らしい若いコアがいて、次のWSチャンピオンチームとダイナスティの再建はほぼ完了しています。日本人投手と選手との長い歴史を持ち、ピッチングコーチ、CBO、ピッチングディベロップメントプレジデントを全面的に刷新。どちらにしても。。。ボストンは、この次の10年間で複数のリングを獲得するでしょう!だから、ボストンのスターになることもできますし、年老いたスターのローテーションの別の人になることもできます。エースも増えるし、プロデュースも増える。しかし、レッドソックス・ネイションと吉田は、フェンウェイ・パークで君が支配するのを待っている…野球の本当のメッカ!!
山本:過去20年間で最も多くのワールドシリーズチャンピオンシップを獲得したチームが必要な場合は、ボストン・レッドソックスのみのチームです。我々には素晴らしい若いコアがいて、次のWSチャンピオンチームとダイナスティの再建はほぼ完了しています。日本人投手と選手との長い歴史を持ち、ピッチングコーチ、CBO、ピッチングディベロップメントプレジデントを全面的に刷新。どちらにしても。。。ボストンは、この次の10年間で複数のリングを獲得するでしょう!だから、ボストンのスターになることもできますし、年老いたスターのローテーションの別の人になることもできます。エースも増えるし、プロデュースも増える。しかし、レッドソックス・ネイションと吉田は、フェンウェイ・パークで君が支配するのを待っている…野球の本当のメッカ!!!