Mets Reportedly Considered Among Favorites To Land Star Japanese Hurler

Could the Mets actually land one of the best free agent pitchers this upcoming offseason?

Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets reportedly may add one of the best available pitchers in free agency.

New York certainly is in an interesting spot. The Mets' roster is loaded with talent but the 2023 campaign has been a failure. Many expected the Mets to be World Series contenders, but the club is in last place in the National League East instead with a 60-73 record. 

The Mets arguably were the biggest sellers ahead of the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline as the club dealt away star hurlers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, but New York could be getting ready to add another star. The Mets reportedly are one of the possible fits for Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

"Yamamoto is expected to be posted by the Orix Buffaloes this offseason, adding another intriguing arm to the free-agent market," Feinsand said. "The 25-year-old has won both Pacific League MVP honors and the Sawamura Award (Japan’s version of the Cy Young) in each of the past two years, and scouts believe he can immediately jump into the No. 1 or 2 spot in a big league rotation the way Masahiro Tanaka did with the Yankees nearly a decade ago. If/when he is posted, Yamamoto will likely jump into the Top 5 -- possibly the Top 3 -- of these rankings. Potential fits: Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox."

The 25-year-old likely will be one of the most sought-after pitchers on the open market once he is eventually posted by the Buffaloes. Yamamoto is young but already has seven years worth of professional experience under his belt. The 25-year-old has a career ERA of 1.77 with the Buffaloes. 

Yamamoto likely will be one of the top hurlers available this upcoming offseason and New York already has shown interest. The Mets have scouted the ace and could make perfect sense as a suitor this offseason.