New York Mets Already Scouting Star Pitcher
Since all seems lost for the 2023 New York Mets, it might be time to look towards the future.
One of the Mets' main issues this season has been the inconsistency of their starting rotation. This is an area that is going to need an upgrade in the offseason, and a big name that is going to be available is Japanese star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
And it sounds like the Mets have already gotten a head start on their homework for Yamamoto.
According to Andy Martino of SNY, Mets general manager Billy Eppler has traveled to Japan to watch Yamamoto pitch.
Eppler, who signed Shohei Ohtani and Kodai Senga, has deep connections and enough credibility in Japan, which might give him an advantage if he tries to sign Yamamoto in the offseason.
Per Martino, signing Yamamoto, who is still just 24-years-old, will likely take more than the five-year, $75 million deal that the Mets gave Senga last winter. A talent evaluator told Martino that Yamamoto compares to Chris Bassitt, an advanced repertoire, but with more velocity.
Senga, an All-Star, has had a superb rookie season for the Mets, posting a 3.20 ERA, 1.265 WHIP and 122 strikeouts across 95.2 innings this year.
So far, the Mets have had good luck with Senga in the big-leagues. For that, they could find themselves signing another star Japanese pitcher in Yamamoto come free agency this offseason.
With Carlos Carrasco set to become a free agent after the season, there will be a spot in the rotation for Yamamoto behind Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Senga and Jose Quintana.
