The Yankees just made a very thoughtful gesture for their 2023 free-agency prospect, Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Japanese ace was recently posted to the free agency market by his Japanese league team, the Orix Buffaloes. Since his availability was made public, the biggest teams in the MLB have been chasing after him.

The Bronx Bombers making this move has made the race for Yamamoto much easier for them, despite having no such similar links with the players. Their pre-planned list of efforts was made very apparent earlier this year. Brian Cashman himself went to witness the ace in play in Japan on a scouting trip this September.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is all set to receive a thoughtful gift from the Yanks

SportsNet New York posted on X about the New York Yankees securing a special jersey for their prospective pitcher. They reportedly set aside the jersey with the number 18 on it for the star pitcher. What is it about that number that makes it so special? 

In the words of Andy Martino of SNY fame, the team has “purposefully held the number 18 for Yamamoto over the past year.” That sounds like the right move to make given how serious the race is shaping up to be.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto played for the Orix Buffaloes, donning the same number on the field. Maybe the Yankees made this gesture to ensure that the slugger feels at home with them. Or, it might be that the Yankees wanted to make Yamamoto feel a connection with them, given the recent outburst of some of the best teams using their Japanese links to the player for the same purpose.

How much of a help will this move be to the Bronx Bombers?

Whatever the case, all the clubs in contention for clinching Yamamoto are putting in their best efforts to make the player choose them. Considering the prized possession that Yoshinobu Yamamoto is for the baseball community, it only makes sense.

The question is, will Yamamoto side with the team he feels most comfortable with? Or will he side with the teams that offer him the most amenities? He is already predicted to receive around $200 million or more in draft money. The Yankees are definitely one of the teams that can make that possible.

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They also have quite a good player development facility where Yoshinobu Yamamoto can hone his skills. The fame that comes with the role of being a Yankee will not hurt his already stellar image, either. Let’s wait till the month of January rolls by to see how it all pans out for the Yanks, shall we?

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