Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Position: SP

Age: 25 (08/17/1998)

Tradition Stats (NPB): 23 G, 164 IP, 16-6, 1.21 ERA, 0.884 WHIP, 169 SO, 28 BB

Rundown

Yoshinobu Yamamoto posted one of, if not the best, statistical seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball history as a starting pitcher for the Orix Buffaloes in 2023. He ended his season with a dominant complete game in the Japan Series where he led Orix to a 5-1 victory before his team ultimately fell in Game 7. He struck out 14 batters in the game which set a Japan Series record, previously held by Yu Darvish with 13.

His pitching repertoire includes a 95-plus mph fastball, a plus slider, and his best pitch; the forkball. Similar to current Mets pitcher Kodai Senga‘s ghost forkball, it has been Yamamoto’s putout pitch.

In seven season playing in the NPB, he boasts a career 1.72 ERA in 967 2/3 innings. He has thrown two career no-hitters, including one on September 9 this season where he also struck out 14 batters. His stuff is top-notch and will likely be an impact from day 1 wherever he signs.

Yamamoto shined in the World Baseball Classic back in March, where he helped Japan win their third WBC championship. In the tournament, he finished with a 2.45 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 12 strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings pitched. Yamamoto and Senga played alongside each other at the 2023 WBC, and there’s a chance the two aces could become teammates again in New York.

Not only is Yamamoto a fantastic pitcher, but his defensive prowess is shown by winning the Mitsui Golden Glove Award in three consecutive seasons among all Pacific League pitchers.

Contract

As one of the hottest names among starting pitchers in this year’s free agency class, Yamamoto is expected to earn himself a lucrative, multi-year deal. Teams around the league will be interested in his talents which could lead to a bidding war among the finalists. The Mets have been rumored to be one of the teams showing strong interest, most recently being described as “all over” Yamamoto. Big market teams such as the Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, Giants, Phillies and Cubs have all shown interest in the right hander.

Back in 2013, Masahiro Tanaka was the hot name coming to Major League Baseball from the NPB when he inked a seven-year, $155 million deal with the Yankees, which is still the richest contract ever for a player making the transition between the two leagues. Yamamoto is expected to receive a deal that can surpass the $200 million range.

The 2023 free agent starting pitching class includes top of the rotation arms such as Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Aaron Nola, Sonny Gray and Marcus Stroman. You could make the case Yamamoto is just as good, or better than these top names, and at 25 years of age, he’s the youngest of the group.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

Recommendation 

The Mets should make signing Yamamoto their top priority this offseason. It’s no secret they will heavily involved in the pitching market, for both starters and relievers. After dealing Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander at the trade deadline this past season, they are in desperate need of a top-of-the-rotation arm. Pairing Yamamoto and Senga at the top of the rotation gives them the one-two punch teams require to make a deep postseason run. While the Mets have other needs that must be addressed, Yamamoto is the rare type of talent that can narrow the gap between contending teams, and help turn the Mets around quickly.

His talent combined with his age puts him in a position to sign one of the largest deals in the offseason. The expectations in New York paired with a large sum of money that he will undoubtedly get paid, will provide additional pressure for Yamamoto to perform right away. Many people within baseball fully believe he will become a top-end arm, and the Mets have the opportunity to pair Yamamoto and Senga in New York for the next half-decade.