MLB Insider Says New York Yankees Have Strong Chance Of Signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto

After landing superstar outfielder Juan Soto in a trade with the San Diego Padres, the New York Yankees have now shifted their focus to Japanese free agent superstar starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Yankees and crosstown rival New York Mets are the favorites to sign Yamamoto.

"The Yankees are competing with a crowded field for Yamamoto, the 25-year-old right-hander who has won three consecutive Pacific League Most Valuable Player awards. Mets owner Steve Cohen met with Yamamoto in Japan last week, while the (San Francisco) Giants, (Los Angeles) Dodgers and (Toronto) Blue Jays have been among the teams believed to be pursuing Yamamoto."

“This is going to come down to the Mets and Yankees,” one source said. “They both think they need him badly -- and they do. Get your popcorn ready. This could be fun.”

Yamamoto is expected to draw a contract that is well north of $200 million, which would push the Yankees past the "Steve Cohen" luxury tax threshold of $297 million. The word is that the Yankees are more than willing to exceed a payroll of $300 million after missing out on the postseason last season for the first time since 2016.

The Yankees are scheduled to meet with Yamamoto in the U.S. on Monday.

Yamamoto would be a perfect No. 2 starter/co-ace to AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole in the Yankees' rotation. The Yankees signed Carlos Rodon last winter to complement Cole, but he had a rough first year in pinstripes, filled with injuries and under performance.

The Yankees are strong contenders to add Yamamoto, but so are the Mets, who have yet to make a big move this offseason.

If the Yankees miss out on Yamamoto, a reunion with lefty Jordan Montgomery could be a possibility.