Mets Top Choice Reportedly 'Totally Open To New York' In Possible Game-Changing Move

The Mets realistically could land their top choice star in free agency this offseason

It sounds like the New York Mets have a lot of work to do this offseason if it wants to land its top choice in free agency.

New York has some work to do to fix the roster and get back to the postseason and the biggest question mark certainly is the starting rotation. The Mets traded away Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer and now are in the process of rebuilding the rotation. New York has been mentioned as a fit for multiple starters, but the Mets' top choice this offseason is Orix Buffaloes ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto and it sounds like he may be open to New York, according to SNY's Andy Martino.

"He is a serious fit for (the New York Yankees and Mets)," Martino said. "A guy who I hear is totally open to New York, open to a big market and all that kind of stuff. Oh boy do the Mets like this guy. Everyone who scouted him in Japan likes him. There have been comparisons to Tim Lincecum. Four to five-pitch guy. Nobody who has seen him doubts that he is way better than Kodai Senga. This guy is really, really, really good potentially. So definitely something to watch for the Mets. Something to watch for the Yankees.

Yamamoto is a star in the making. He is just 25 years old and has a career 1.72 ERA in seven professional seasons for the Buffaloes. Yamamoto also has won three straight Eiji Sawamura Awards -- the Japanese equivalent to Major League Baseball's Cy Young Award -- as well as two Pacific League Most Valuable Player awards. 

If he can carry over his performance from the Buffaloes to Major League Baseball, he will quickly be considered one of the best pitchers in the big leagues. Yamamoto will be expensive, but it sounds like the Mets have a real chance to land him.