New York Mets Already Scouting Star Pitcher

The New York Mets have already begun scouting this star pitcher.
Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
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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.


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Pat Ragazzo
PAT RAGAZZO

Pat Ragazzo is the main publisher and reporter for the Mets and Yankees On SI sites. He has been covering the Mets since 2018 and Yankees since 2021. Pat was selected as The Top Reporter & Publisher of the Year 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the industry. He has appeared on several major TV Networks including: NBC4, CBS2, FOX5, PIX11 and NY1; and is a recurring guest on ESPN New York 880 AM and WFAN Sports Radio 101.9 FM. Pat is also the Mets insider for Barstool Sports personality Frank "The Tank" Fleming’s podcast. You can follow him on Twitter/X and Instagram: @ragazzoreport.