Yoshinobu Yamamoto Rumors: Dodgers Free Agent Target Reportedly Has West Coast Preference
One of the biggest free agents this winter will be coming to the United States from Japan, and he will be a real game-changer for whichever team signs him. That would be pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and he is expected to have plenty of suitors for his services.
The Dodgers have been heavily connected with Yamamoto this winter, and they remain one of the most interested teams in signing him. LA has the resources to land him, and they want to bring him to Los Angeles.
MLB insider Jon Heyman appeared on a live show with Bleacher Report and gave an update on Yamamoto. According to Heyman, Yamamoto may have a preference for playing on the West Coast when he is going through his free agency.
“There are some people who believe that Yamamoto has a bit of a preference for the west coast.”
Per Jon Heyman via Bleacher Report
If this rumor is true, it would heavily favor both the Dodgers and Giants in their pursuit of the Japanese free agent. He has been linked to both since it was announced that he would be posted this winter, so we could see either one of them sign him.
Yamamoto is seen by many as the best pitcher to come out of Japan, so if the Dodgers were to land him, it would be huge for their rotation. He would instantly bolster it for the next few years and give them a true ace-level pitcher to work with.
He is also only 25 years old, so there is plenty of time for him to grow with whatever team he signs with. LA badly needs a guy like Yamamoto, and fans have been calling for the team to sign him.
While he hasn’t officially been posted yet, it is expected to happen sooner rather than later this offseason. Once he is posted, teams will have the chance to negotiate a contract with him for a certain amount of days before the window closes. And hopefully, when all is said and done, Yamamoto will be wearing a Dodgers jersey.
Photo Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
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