New York Yankees Considering Star Free Agent Pitcher If They Miss Out On This Hurler
There is a Plan B.
If the New York Yankees are unable to sign superstar Japanese free agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, they are considering fellow Japanese lefty Shota Imanaga as a fallback option, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
As Heyman also reported, the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs are eyeing Imanaga.
Imanaga, 30, posted a 7-5 record and 2.66 ERA across 159 innings in the NPB last season. In eight career seasons in Japan, the southpaw has posted a 3.18 ERA in 165 games (24 starts).
Imanaga is projeted to be a backend starting pitcher in an MLB team's rotation next season. He will certainly be a cheaper option than Yamamoto, who could draw a deal near $300 million. Imanaga is also not as highly sought after as Yamamoto.
The Yankees met with Yamamoto in Los Angeles earlier in the week. He is their No. 1 option, but the Mets and Dodgers are in heavy pursuit of the superstar as well.
