Cubs reportedly "among favorites" for standout free agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto |
Free agency is in full swing as teams try to improve their squads for the 2024 season and beyond.
ESPN's Jeff Passan is reporting that the Cubs are one of the teams in on right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. "The 25-year-old right-hander will decide among a who's who of teams interested in him: The Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox and Cubs are among the favorites, with the Giants, Blue Jays and Phillies also expected to be in the mix," he said in his latest Insider article ($). However, Yamamoto won't come cheap as he will certainly have a bidding war for his services. "The price for Yamamoto, officials who plan on pursuing the pitcher told ESPN, seems to be growing by the day. Multiple executives said the floor will be $200 million. Others said the cost of his contract could be in excess of $250 million," Passan reported. In over 1,000 innings pitched, he has a sparkling 1.72 ERA in the Nippon Professional League. It will be interesting to see which team ultimately lands Yamamoto and how this signing might impact their pitching rotation for years to come.
