(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
A sizable number of MLB teams are paying close attention to the Yoshinobu Yamamoto free-agent market.
The talented 25-year-old Japanese pitcher has dominated in his home country for seven years and is ready to take the next step in his career: the major leagues.
To be eligible to sign, however, he needs to be posted by his team in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, the Orix Buffaloes.
Well, the process has now officially started: he has been posted, according to MLB insider Chelsea Janes.
“Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been officially posted, per person familiar. His 45-day window to negotiate with MLB teams begins tomorrow. I imagine a few will be interested,” she tweeted.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been officially posted, per person familiar. His 45-day window to negotiate with MLB teams begins tomorrow. I imagine a few will be interested.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) November 20, 2023
Yes, that’s right: every team that prides itself of being a contender should be after Yamamoto every step.
He has the potential to be a difference-maker in any MLB rotation.
Think about the impact Kodai Senga had as a rookie with the New York Mets, but with even better command and more potential.
Starting from Tuesday at 8 a.m. ET, the bidding will start.
He has a career 1.82 ERA over his seven seasons in Japan — including a 1.48 ERA in 2023.
Per the posting rules, all 30 MLB teams will have 45 days to negotiate with the player after he is posted.
It’s likely that we will know Yamamoto’s new team well before the 45 days are up.
It’s also worth remembering that in addition to Yamamoto’s contract, the team that wins his services will also have to pay a posting fee to the Buffaloes.
The post Insider Reveals Official Yoshinobu Yamamoto Update appeared first on The Cold Wire.
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