Mets Reportedly Have 'Solid Chance' To Land Top Free Agent Starting Pitcher

New York has a "solid chance" of landing its top choice starter in free agency

The New York Mets need to make a major move this offseason and they are pursuing the top free agent starting pitcher.

New York has made some major splashes in the starting pitching market over the last few years but mainly has targeted star veterans at the end of their careers. The Mets are changing their ways and are pursuing Orix Buffaloes phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto very hard.

The Mets have been mentioned among the favorites for Yamamoto on multiple occasions but at this point, there is no way for sure to know where he will land. Although this is the case, the Mets reportedly have a "solid chance" of signing him, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. 

"Japanese starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto may be the most popular free agent ever — at least among big-market clubs — and that’s why execs are predicting he may cost the signing team as much as $300 million, including the posting fee," Heyman said. The original estimate for Yamamoto, who’s only 25, was $200 million.

"But in addition to the (New York Mets) and (New York Yankees), who both seem hopeful, the (Los Angeles Dodgers), (San Francisco Giants), (Chicago Cubs), Cardinals, (Boston Red Sox), (Philadelphia Phillies), (Arizona Diamondbacks), and (Detroit Tigers) all are linked to Yamamoto. The lobby scuttlebutt suggests the Mets and Giants have a solid chance. But the Yankees (and others) seem to have faith, too."

If New York could land Yamamoto, it would be a successful offseason no matter what else it does. He is just 25 years old and could help the Mets for years to come. Plus,  pairing him with Kodai Senga would give the Mets a very solid top of the rotation.