Report: Cubs Emerge as Top Contenders for Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Cubs are ‘among favorites’ for Yoshinobu Yamamoto: report


originally appeared on

NBC Sports Chicago

This offseason is projected to be a hectic one for the Chicago Cubs. Not only are they seen as major contenders for two-time AL MVP Shohei Ohtani, but they are also showing interest in another Japanese star, right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

“The 25-year-old right-hander will decide among a who’s who of teams interested in him: The Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Cubs are among the favorites, with the Giants, Blue Jays, and Phillies also expected to be in the mix,”

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported
.

Yamamoto, 25, is one of the hottest commodities on the MLB free agency market this offseason. With an impressive track record in Japan and the Nippon Professional Baseball league, boasting a 1.72 ERA over nearly 1,000 innings pitched, he has certainly caught the eye of many teams.

During the World Baseball Classic, Yamamoto made a name for himself as one of the best pitchers in the tournament. Pitching for tournament champion Team Japan, he delivered a standout performance, striking out 12 batters and allowing a blistering .160 batting average to his opponents.

The Cubs’ starting rotation is in need of a boost, which is why they are heavily involved in the Ohtani sweepstakes. However, the possibility of adding Yamamoto to their roster would significantly strengthen their rotation.

The potential cost of Yamamoto’s contract is predicted to be in excess of $200 million, making it a substantial investment for any team.

The likelihood of the Cubs signing both Japanese stars seems improbable. Nevertheless, if another team lands Ohtani, it would make sense for the Cubs to strongly pursue Yamamoto.

On the subject of Ohtani, Passan also reported the Cubs are

firmly in the running
for the two-time AL MVP.

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