Many expect there to be a resolution to the Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes soon, and MLB Network’s Jon Morosi sees the Yankees as the current front runner to land the Japanese star.
“We do expect he will sign before the end of calendar year and very likely before the end of this week,” Morosi said on MLB Network. “He now has a very good picture of where the greatest interest is.
“I said [Monday] the Yankees are viewed by many as the frontrunner and I still think that is the case. I believe it would take a tremendous offer from the Mets or Dodgers to pull him away from the Yankees given his longstanding connection and affinity there.”
Yamamoto has reportedly met twice with the Yankees and Mets, and has met at least once with the Dodgers. The Yankees have reportedly coveted Yamamoto to the point where they left No. 18 unassigned last season in the event that Yamamoto came to the Bronx and wanted his jersey number. Perhaps gestures like that, and a competitive financial offer, will make Yamamoto a Yankee.
“By all accounts,” Morosi said. “I think it’s gonna be one of those three teams, the Yankees, Mets, or Dodgers.”
