Each contender's best pitch to sign Yamamoto

Yoshinobu Yamamoto hasn't thrown a pitch in the majors yet but is already one of the most sought-after free-agent pitchers to ever hit the market. The 25-year-old is heading to MLB after winning three consecutive Eiji Sawamura Awards (Japan's Cy Young equivalent) and Pacific League MVPs with the Orix Buffaloes.

While small in stature - he's listed at only 5-foot-10 and 176 pounds - Yamamoto's arsenal includes a powerful fastball, devastating splitter, and knee-buckling curveball. His unique workout regimen has already gone viral and demonstrates his amazing flexibility and athleticism. And he's a clear winner, having just led the Buffaloes to three straight PL pennants and a Japan Series title in 2022.

Yamamoto is expected to choose his MLB home soon and will likely sign one of the largest deals - if not the largest - ever given to a pitcher. Here, we break down the free-agent pitches from his biggest suitors and discuss the pros and cons of each potential destination.

New York Yankees

Why should Yamamoto choose the Yankees? The team is arguably the biggest sports brand in the world. Everybody knows the iconic hat and historic pinstripe uniforms. It doesn't get better than taking the mound at Yankee Stadium for a big game in September, October, or November. New York will give Yamamoto a chance to win every year thanks to its talented roster. He can also become an international superstar with the exposure provided in a massive media market. If Yamamoto wants to play on the biggest stage, then suiting up for the Yankees is the right choice.

What is the Yankees' biggest red flag? New York missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2016 after a disappointing 82-win campaign in the ultra-competitive AL East. The club's core isn't young, some very questionable contracts could impact future spending, and failure isn't an option in the Bronx, which means lots of pressure to perform. The Yankees could also lose Juan Soto to free agency after just one year.

New York Mets

Why should Yamamoto choose the Mets? The Mets offer all the glitz and glam of playing in New York but with a little less attention compared to the Yankees. Owner Steve Cohen has proven that money does grow on trees when it comes to shelling out monster free-agent contracts. The Mets could offer Yamamoto the largest deal. Cohen is committed to bringing a championship to Queens, which means Yamamoto should pitch for some very good clubs in the future. He could also join fellow countryman Kodai Senga at the top of the Mets' rotation.

What is the Mets' biggest red flag? The team only won 75 games in 2023 with the largest payroll in MLB history. The Mets dealt a slew of stars and veterans at the trade deadline, so there could be questions about how competitive New York will be in the short term in a division that features the Braves and Phillies. The Mets could always end up being a punchline, as they seem to historically make headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Why should Yamamoto choose the Dodgers? Who wouldn't want to play on this potential superteam? Yamamoto would instantly become the Dodgers' ace and the latest to carry on the team's tradition of star starting pitchers. The spotlight that he craves doesn't get much bigger than pitching on a star-studded team in Hollywood. Yamamoto's already a superstar in Japan, but his status back home should grow even brighter playing alongside Shohei Ohtani. The Dodgers can offer Yamamoto pretty much everything he wants - whether it's winning, money, or both.

What is the Dodgers' biggest red flag? For all the spectacle that the Ohtani signing and Tyler Glasnow trade created, there are still some real question marks around this Dodgers team. The pressure on Yamamoto to produce and potentially carry a rotation fraught with injury concerns would be immense. The Dodgers will almost certainly make the playoffs, but their path to another NL West title isn't that easy with their main division rivals also improving. Expectations are sky-high here, and anything short of a World Series title will be considered a failure. Is that really the kind of pressure Yamamoto wants to walk into as a rookie?

San Francisco Giants

Why should Yamamoto choose the Giants? The Giants have a very good track record of developing pitching and are in a good position to help Yamamoto truly reach the next level at spacious Oracle Park. He'd instantly form half of one of the best duos in baseball alongside NL Cy Young runner-up Logan Webb as part of an excellent rotation that could cause problems for their bitter rivals in L.A. The Giants have made some nice moves to improve their team this winter. While not as star-heavy as the Dodgers, they should be in contention all year.

What is the Giants' biggest red flag? A playoff berth is no guarantee in San Francisco. The Giants stand as the weakest of the three most likely NL West contenders right now and are anchored by a core that's still yet to prove that the 107-win season of 2021 wasn't a fluke. Following a tremendous amount of turnover this winter, there's a ton of pressure on new manager Bob Melvin to get this team back to its winning ways. San Francisco is a big market, but the national spotlight might not be as big.

Philadelphia Phillies

Why should Yamamoto choose the Phillies? Philadelphia's rotation is already excellent, and Yamamoto would take them to a whole other level. The Phillies clearly have a desire to win and will spare little expense to get there, so the money is here for him. It's a star-studded roster in one of the world's great sports cities that will get plenty of national television exposure. Yamamoto's the kind of player who'd become an instant fan favorite in Philly, especially if he leads them to the World Series.

What is the Phillies' biggest red flag? The NL East is no cakewalk. The Phillies still face significant competition from the rival Braves, not to mention the Mets, who are always a thorn in their side. It wouldn't be nearly as easy of a road to playoff success in Philadelphia. Yamamoto would also be moving to a hitter-friendly home in Citizens Bank Park, a stadium that's also frequently affected by weather, especially late in the year.

Boston Red Sox

Why should Yamamoto choose the Red Sox? Boston is a baseball town first and foremost, and Yamamoto would become one of the city's biggest stars. The Red Sox are a big-market team and an established brand with plenty of history in Japan, and he'd be reunited with longtime Orix Buffaloes teammate Masataka Yoshida. Yamamoto would boost the team's short-term chances and would be a fantastic building block to construct around.

What is the Red Sox biggest red flag? If Yamamoto wants to step straight into a winning situation, this isn't the best time to go to Boston. The Red Sox are the weakest team in baseball's toughest division, and even with Yamamoto atop their rotation, there's simply no guarantee of success in 2024. Signing in Boston means betting on new chief baseball officer Craig Breslow to right this ship within two or three years. Yamamoto is coming from a team that won three straight league pennants in Japan. Does he really want to go into a retooling situation with no guarantees of success?