Yoshinobu Yamamoto to meet with teams on Zoom during the Winter Meetings
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is one of highly coveted free agents that’ll sign with an MLB team this winter.
The 25-year-old is not expected to be at the upcoming Winter Meetings and he is expected to make his decision on where he’ll sign once they’re completed.
According to Andy Martino of SNY, Yamamoto intends to speak with teams via Zoom next week. The Japanese superstar is expected to narrow down the field of teams and take in-person meetings before the end of the year.
Yamamoto has until Jan. 4, which is 45-days from his initial posting date to sign with an MLB team.
The NPB export’s agent Joel Wolfe said that his client would be open to playing for a team that already has Japanese stars on their roster.
Yamamoto is reportedly interested in playing for the Yankees, but is open to many destinations around the league, including the Red Sox, he is close with outfielder Masataka Yoshida.
Wolfe of the Wasserman Group spoke with Yahoo! Japan and said 10-15 teams have shown interest in his client.
Yamamoto wowed fans and teams during the World Baseball Classic in March, he continued to dominate during the regular season in Japan. Yamamoto’s value has skyrocketed to the point teams around the league, including the Red Sox view him as a No. 1 or No. 2 type starter.
Yamamoto’s contract is expected to exceed the record $155 million package the Yankees gave out to righty Masahiro Tanaka in 2014. MLB Trade Rumors predicts the hurler to sign a nine-year, $220 million deal.
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