Red Sox Target Yoshinobu Yamamoto Will Make Decision Soon; Could Boston Actually Land Him?

It sounds like the Red Sox actually are in the running to land Yamamoto this offseason

The Boston Red Sox are officially in waiting mode.

Boston has made Orix Buffaloes phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto its top free agent target this offseason. The Red Sox need a frontline starter and Yamamoto is the best one available. 

Yamamoto is just 25 years old and could be a club's No. 1 starter for the next ten years. That's why he has been so highly sought-after. There aren't many pitchers with his pedigree at such a young age. 

The Red Sox reportedly still are in the running to land his services and are prepared to make him a massive offer, possibly over $300 million. Boston has plenty of competition for Yamamoto in free agency, though, so it's unclear where he will land.

While this is the case, Boston won't have to wait long to find out if it is going to win the sweepstakes for Yamamoto. The young star reportedly will make his decision before Christmas, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

"During Yamamoto’s recent meetings with teams, broad contract parameters were discussed, without 'serious' offers presented, according to the source," Heyman said. "The sessions served more as a forum for teams and the players to get to know each other.

"The (New York Mets’) expectation is Yamamoto will reach a decision by Christmas. Following his posting last month by the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball, the right-hander is within a 45-day window to sign a contract that expires on Jan. 4."

Yamamoto is the top free-agent starting pitcher available and is the exact player Boston needs to energize the fan base and get its starting rotation back in order. We should find out very soon if the Red Sox have done enough to land him.

More MLB: Ex-Red Sox Pitcher Reportedly Lands With Pirates After Inconsistent Season