Mets Reportedly Will Compete With Yankees For Top Free Agent Starting Pitcher

The Mets could end up competing against the Yankees for the best free agent pitcher

It sounds like there will be a battle in New York this offseason.

Both the New York Mets and New York Yankees have an intriguing offseason ahead of them. The two clubs both underperformed in 2023 and both will be looking to drastically improve this offseason. Both clubs need to improve the starting rotation and reportedly are two of the top choices to land Orix Buffaloes star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, according to SNY's Andy Martino.

"According to league sources, Yamamoto is set to be posted soon by his NPB team, the Orix Buffaloes," Martino said. "Once that happens, he will have 45 days to sign with a team. The Mets are all over Yamamoto, but word around the game is that the Yankees will be very strong contenders for his services.

"Steve Cohen’s offer might have to seriously overwhelm his Bronx neighbors in order to compete for a pitcher who has drawn scouting comparisons to Tim Lincecum."

The Mets have been mentioned as a fit for Yamamoto on numerous occasions over the last year. Yamamoto will be the top free agent pitcher available -- not named Shohei Ohtani -- and will have a handful of suitors. The Mets are expected to be heavily in the mix and starting pitcher Kodai Senga even has been recruiting him to the club. 

It isn't surprising that there has been as much interest in Yamamoto as there has been. He is just 25 years old and if he is able to carry over his success with the Buffaloes to Major League Baseball quickly will be one of the best pitchers in the league for years to come. 

The Mets have the money to spend and a real need to land someone like Yamamoto this offseason. It sounds like they will have some stiff competition for his services -- like the Yankees -- but that doesn't mean it won't get a deal done.