MLB Rumors: Yoshinobu Yamamoto 'Covets' Large Market amid Yankees, Mets, Giants Buzz

Japanese starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto "covets the opportunity to play in a large market," according to The Athletic's Will Sammon.

Yamamoto projects to be one of the best pitchers in MLB free agency this offseason.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported on Oct. 15 is "high" on the wishlist of the Los Angeles Dodgers, while the New York Yankees and New York Mets are showing early interest. Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reported San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi has personally scouted the 25-year-old in Japan as well.

Sammon detailed why the Mets might be in pole position before the Yamamoto sweepstakes get underway. They obviously check the market-size box, and team owner Steven Cohen hasn't shied away from spending. Even if the organization is looking more to the future right now, Yamamoto is a signing for the present and future wherever he lands.

The Mets may hit another important benchmark based on Sammon's reported. He wrote that Yamamoto "wants to go where he believes he can be most successful and adjust the fastest."

New York can point to another Japanese star, Kodai Senga, to bolster its case in that regard. Senga went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA and earned an All-Star nod as a rookie in 2023. Having a compatriot on the squad—one who thrived no less—might ease Yamamoto's mind about landing in Queens.

Of course, it's far too early to say any one franchise has a decided edge with Yamamoto when he's bound to have multiple committed suitors. NBC Sports Bay Area's Alex Pavlovic reported on Oct. 5 one MLB executive believes he could sign for more than $200 million.

Wanting to play in a big market isn't that disqualifying, either. That label has most often applied to the New York and L.A. teams, but you could extend it to a number of cities like Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas (Arlington, Texas).

It will be fascinating to see how the situation evolves once the offseason kicks into gear.