While Shohei Ohtani is undoubtedly the biggest free agent this offseason, it’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto who has the most crowd behind him. The Samurai Japan ace has rocked the world due to his extraordinary stint in NPB. With nearly half of the league running behind this 25-year-old star, will $200 million be enough to get him?

In a recent revelation by a reputable insider, the teams vying for Yamamoto were disclosed. What followed was a captivating comment on the potential value of his deal, injecting a fascinating twist into the narrative of this emerging young star.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s deal can exceed $200 million estimation

The entire baseball world is looking anxiously at Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Where will this young star go? His performances and numbers have given a hint of the potential superstardom that awaits him. As a result, the teams are all racing ahead of each other to try to get the attention of their favorite pitcher this offseason.

Jon Heyman recently appeared in Around The Bases where he talked about Yamamoto’s deal. Discussing his qualities, he had some interesting information to share. When asked who he thinks has a chance of signing him, he had this to say.

“ I think the Yankees still like to have a legitimate change. I’m sure the Mets must still have a legitimate chance. I know other teams think for whatever reason that the Mets have a good chance. We shall see if that comes to pass.”

While the Yankees and Mets are in intense competition with each other, there are a few more teams on the list. “Big market teams and some of the midmarket teams in on Yamamoto that includes the Red Sox, the Cardinals, the Cubs, the Giants, the Dodgers. I’ve heard the Diamondbacks, the Tigers, the Phillies,” Heyman said. The most interesting quote, however, came when he revealed his expectations about the value of Yamamoto’s contract.

Read more: Top Insider Predicts Yoshinobu Yamamoto to Threaten MLB History, as Price Tag Continues Rising Amidst Epic Free Agency

Heyman said, “We predicted $200 million. He may go north of that.” Jon’s logic is understandable. With almost 11 teams after Yamamoto, the bids are bound to go high. Especially when the chances are high that he will sign with the team with the highest bid. There are a few with higher chances currently.

Teams ahead in the race for the Japanese star

Apart from the New York teams, according to Heyman, there are multiple teams after him. The Red Sox have a Japanese connection with them while the Dodgers are on the west coast. Could the rumors of Yamamoto preferring the west coast turn out to be true?

Even though the Big Apple teams are currently ruling this situation, things can change at any moment. Especially as the last talks are yet to happen. With winter meetings right around the corner, things are bound to get interesting soon.

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