As the free agency market keeps seeing a rise in price and proclamation of the new selection of prospects amongst top teams, a piece of recent news has called for the attention of the entire MLB kingdom. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the leasing free agent of the 2023 offseason, has had the biggest clubhouses on their toes. An MLB insider just revealed that the New York Yankees are beating everybody else in the competition, and for good reasons.

The Yankees have been chasing Yamamoto actively for the last month. Their efforts to clinch the ace started way before that, though. In the wake of the meeting between the team and the player, insiders have come up with their own set of facts that make the Pinstripes the likeliest team to sign Yamamoto. What’s the word on the street?

Insider crowns Pinstripes as the favorites in the Yoshinobu Yamamoto Race

MLB Insider Jon Morosi was recently seen discussing Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s current contingency during the hot stove. As Morosi revealed his conjecture of Yamamoto’s free agency market facing completion before the end of the year, he pointed out the Yankees as the team who will bring upon the full circle moment. “The Yankees are viewed by many as the frontrunner, and I still think that is the case.” What exactly brought upon such a remark, other than the team’s illustriousness?

One of the Yankees’ biggest rivals, the Mets, tried to pull a fast one over the Bronx Bombers by calling Yamamoto in to dine with owner Steve Cohen this Saturday. Right after a few hours, Yamamoto showed the ace hidden up his sleeves by deciding to have a one-on-one with the Yanks. The East Coast teams have played this card before.

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Cohen and Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns took flight to Japan to meet the right-hander before the winter meetings, while Yankees officials convened with Yamamoto last Monday in Southern California. However, the Yankees have a winning combination of factors that gives them a significant advantage.

Watch This Story: Unveiling The Samurai Japanese Aces, Who Ruled Over The MLB Community Being In The Yankees’ Troop

The Yankees hold the trump card with a winning hand of factors

For Morosi, Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s longstanding relationship with the team, along with his affinity towards them (as shown in the Sunday meeting), is just one of the few factors in play behind the Yankees’ favoritism. What are the other ones?

Yamamoto’s famed history in the NPB led to his instant recognition in the major leagues when he first stepped foot in America. For a player of his caliber who has only pitched for one of the smaller teams in Japan, the scope of global recognition plays a big part other than the availability of the swankiest facilities. Both of these are available in abundance at Yankee Stadium.

Read More: Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Free Agency Picks Up Pace, as $300 Million Decision Enters Final Stage

“Yoshinobu Yamamoto has a strong desire to pitch on the biggest stage in @MLB, according to people familiar with his thinking,” Morosi stated on his Twitter. This statement, further backed up by the team’s limitless efforts put into clinching the player, only proves how serious they both are about giving this pairing a chance. Let’s hope that the future works out for their benefit!