Good morning Mets fans!
During starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s recent trip to the East Coast, the free agent pitcher exclusively met with the New York Mets and New York Yankees, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.
Yamamoto, the 25-year-old Japanese ace, is the most sought-after free agent remaining on the market and could sign a deal that exceeds $300 million.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network said on Tuesday that the Yankees are still viewed as the front-runner for Yamamoto’s services.
Prior to meeting with the Subway Series rivals, Yamamoto met with the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers during a trip to the West Coast. As part of the Philadelphia Phillies recruiting efforts, two-time NL MVP Bryce Harper facetimed the ace.
Yamamoto’s decision is expected to be made in the near future. Metsmerized is providing the latest Yamamoto updates here.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
Latest MLB News
The Angels have had conversations with NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell, according to Morosi.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have re-signed Andrew McCutchen on a one-year, $5 million deal, per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The San Diego Padres are close to terms with Japanese reliever Yuki Matsui, according to Sankei Sport.
The Yankees announced they claimed infielder Jeter Downs off waivers from the Washington Nationals.
Latest on MMO
Ricky Keeler profiles free agent reliever Jordan Hicks.
Allison Waxman gives three Yamamoto alternatives for the Mets.
Rivka Boord argues the Mets should not be waiting on Yamamoto to improve their roster.
On This Date in Mets History
1996: The Mets acquired first baseman John Olerud from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for pitcher Robert Person. In 1998 Olerud set the franchise record for single-season batting average and on-base percentage with .354 and .447, respectively. A video on Olerud’s underappreciated skill set from Stark Raving Sports here.
Birthdays: Erik Goeddel (35), David Wright (41)
