The New York Yankees, who acquired Major League Baseball's (MLB) star outfielder Juan Soto (25) this winter, are now eyeing Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (25).
MLB.com, the official MLB website, reported on Monday (June 8), "The Yankees, who bolstered their offense with the signing of Soto, will now focus on solving their starting rotation problems. They are keeping an eye on pitcher Yamamoto."
The Yankees went on a trade spree this offseason, acquiring Soto, as well as Alex Verdugo and Trent Grisham. Soto is a proven power hitter with 160 home runs in his big league career. Verdugo, 안전놀이터 who can hit for average, and Grisham, who has produced double-digit home runs for four straight years, also add to the Yankees' outfield.
As the Yankees look to bolster their starting pitching, Yamamoto is their next target. After making his Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) debut in 2017 with the Orix Buffaloes, Yamamoto compiled a stellar 70-29 record with 32 wins, one save, and a 1.82 ERA. He won four pitching awards (wins, ERA, strikeouts, and winning percentage) for the third straight year and was named the NPB Pacific League Most Valuable Player for the third straight year.
The Yankees are expected to make a concrete offer to Yamamoto in the near future. "The Yankees will meet with Yamamoto on the 12th," MLB.com reported, citing a source.
The New York Mets, who are also in the running for Yamamoto, have reportedly already met with him. "Mets owner Stephen Coyne and Mets president David Stearns traveled to Japan last week and met with Yamamoto and his family," MLB.com and other local outlets reported on July 7.
MLB.com reported that the Yankees and Mets are competing for Yamamoto, saying, "Both teams feel they need him. It's going to be an interesting battle."
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