The highly anticipated Yoshinobu Yamamoto competition is far more intriguing and revealing than Shohei Ohtani’s free agency for several reasons: various reporting is allowed, there appear to be more interested parties than just the Dodgers, and some teams are based in passionate baseball markets in America.
While it’s not necessary to focus on the AL and NL East, the involvement of teams from these divisions makes it more enjoyable. The Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, and Phillies have all been the subject of credible rumors about pursuing the Japanese ace.
The spending hierarchy in the Northeast has changed over the past decade, with the Mets, Phillies, and occasionally the Red Sox willing to spend as much as the Yankees, if not more. However, the Mets and Phillies have yet to achieve significant success, and Boston’s success has been sporadic.
Whoever lands Yamamoto, they would take the spotlight from Steve Cohen unless the Mets are victorious. The involvement of Philadelphia is intriguing because they have recently been the most successful playoff team and boast a lineup with a knack for getting hot when it counts.
If the Red Sox sign Yamamoto, it would be a signal to their fanbase that ownership is once again prepared to invest in top talent. If the Dodgers sign Yamamoto, it could prompt a crisis in MLB, given the team’s big investments in free agents. So, no pressure, Yoshinobu Yamamoto.