The Yankees last season believed they had the best starting rotation in baseball. This however was not the case. With the injuries and struggles of Carlos Rodón, Luis Severino, and Nestor Cortes. The Yankees are poised to add another arm to make that rotation formidable. Look no further than NPB Star Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Yamamoto, 25, put himself on the map after Japan’s run to win the World Baseball Classic this spring, alongside fellow ace Roki Sasaki. The star for the Orix Buffaloes had yet another fantastic season en route to him being posted for MLB Teams to sign during this off-season. And the Yankees are expected to heavily pursue Yamamoto.
2023 Stats:
23 Starts
164 IP
1.21 ERA
9.3 K/9
1.5 BB/9
0.1 HR/9
Yamamoto has been dominant in the NPB. He is going to win his third straight Pacific League MVP, and his third straight Eiji Sawamura award (The NBP Equivalent of the Cy Young). He has been one of the best pitchers on Earth over the last few years. Boasting a mid 90s fastball along with a cutter, slider, changeup and curveball. The big surprise here? His Forkball. Though different to Kodai Senga’s ghost fork we saw this year, Yamamoto has a plus repertoire. The Yankees could look to form an insane top 3 in their rotation with the hope that Rodon bounces back.
The Yankees have a long history of Japanese players, most recently Masahiro Tanaka, Hideki Mateui and Ichiro Suzuki all playing for the Yankees. Yamamoto could become the next in that line as the Yankees are expected to heavily pursue him. Alongside the Dodgers, Giants, and Mets. The Yankees are reportedly going to offer him a deal more expensive than Tanaka’s 7-Year $155 Million deal. Yamamoto’s deal could be a 6-8 year deal and at least $170 Million.
Yankees Rotation Options with Yamamoto:
Gerrit Cole
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Carlos Rodón
Nestor Cortes
Clarke Schmidt
Michael King
BS Reports 
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