There is a lot of interest in Yoshinobu Yamamoto (25). It is known that at least 11 and up to 14 teams have inquired after the posting.
'MLB.com' reported on the 23rd (Korean time), "Agent Joel Wolff said that since Orix Buffaloes' ace Yamamoto was officially posted to the Major League on the 21st, 14 teams out of 11 have confirmed him."
Yamamoto conquered Japanese professional baseball. He successfully made his professional debut wearing Orix's uniform in 2016, and changed his position from a sure-win team to a starting pitcher in 2019. In the 2021 season, he reached his full potential. He appeared as a starting pitcher in 26 games and won the Sawamura Award, known as the Cy Young Award in Japanese professional baseball, with 18 wins, 5 losses, and an earned run average of 1.39.
His crazy performance continued last season. With 15 wins, 5 losses, and an average ERA of 1.68 in 26 games, he became the first pitcher in NPB history to win five pitcher awards (multiple wins, average ERA, winning percentage, strikeouts, and shutouts) in two consecutive seasons. This season, Yamamoto recorded 16 wins, 6 losses, and an ERA of 1.21 in 23 games, becoming the first NPB pitcher to win four or more crowns for three consecutive years. He was selected as the Sawamura Award winner for three consecutive years and rose to the top pitcher in Japan. Although the regular season MVP has not been announced, Yamamoto is expected to win the award.
Led by Yamamoto's performance, 오피오피걸 Orix advanced to the postseason by winning the Pacific League. Yamamoto performed poorly, allowing 5 runs in 7 innings in Game 1 of the Climax Series Final Stage against the Chiba Lotte Marines, and 7 runs in 5⅔ innings in Game 1 of the Japan Series against the Hanshin Tigers, but pitched 138 pitches and 9 hits in 9 innings in Game 6 of the Japan Series (1). (No home runs) He succeeded in rebounding by pitching a complete game with 1 walk, 14 strikeouts, and 1 run allowed. Orix, who was trailing with a series record of 2 wins and 3 losses, tied the series with 3 wins and 3 losses thanks to Yamamoto's perfect throw.
Orix finished second in the Japan Series, losing 1-7 to the Hanshin Tigers in the final 7th game of the Japan Series held on the 5th, ending Yamamoto's final season in NPB before leaving for the Major League. After this game, Orix approved Yamamoto's posting to the Major League, and on the 21st, Yamamoto officially applied for posting to the Major League. Yamamoto's posting will run for 45 days and will end at 5 p.m. on January 4, 2024.
Yamamoto is receiving a lot of attention this Major League Baseball offseason. Currently, it is expected that he will sign the largest contract after Shohei Otani (29). Although he has no big league experience, his performance in Japanese professional baseball is expected to be enough for Yamamoto to receive a large contract. Locally, Yamamoto's worth is estimated at at least 200 million dollars (about 260 billion won).
Currently, it is understood that there are 14 to 14 teams that have expressed interest in recruiting Yamamoto just two days after the posting was made. MLB.com noted, “14 out of 11 teams confirmed Yamamoto.” Yamamoto's agent, Joel Wolff, said, "Yamamoto is the player I've seen attracting the most attention in the early stages of free agency." On the 21st, MLB.com reported, “12 clubs are already paying attention to Yamamoto.”
MLB.com said on the 23rd, "It is not surprising that Yamamoto has received so much attention from the beginning," and "There are not many 25-year-old starting pitchers, and it is rare for them to appear in the free agent market at this age." “Yamamoto is widely expected to sign the biggest contract other than click here Shohei Otani,” he added.
Immediately after the post, the major league club's courtship of Yamamoto has continued. As competition intensifies, Yamamoto's value is likely to increase from $200 million (about 260 billion won). Baseball fans are paying attention to how big a contract Yamamoto will win and what team's uniform he will wear.