MLB Insider Predicts Phenom Will Land With Yankees In Free Agency

It sounds like the Yankees could end up landing one of the best free-agent starting pitchers

The New York Yankees need to make a major splash this offseason and it sounds like they may end up doing it. 

New York's biggest roster question marks are in the starting rotation and the middle of the lineup. The Yankees need to add to the rotation and also boost its offense. One hurler who the club has been linked to on multiple occasions is Orix Buffaloes phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto. 

The 25-year-old will be posted on Monday and it sounds like he could end up with the Yankees, according to USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale.

"Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to be posted Monday where he will be the top free-agent target for many teams, opening his 45-day window to sign with a club," Nightengale said. "He would have to sign with a team by Jan. 4 or return to the Orix Buffaloes in Nippon Professional Baseball.

"Yamamoto went 16-6 record with a 1.21 ERA, striking out 169 in 164 innings. Yamamoto, unlike Shohei Ohtani, clamors to pitch in a large market, two executives say, predicting that he will pitch for the Yankees or (New York Mets)." 

Yamamoto will be one of the most sought-after starting pitchers in free agency and he has been linked to the Yankees on numerous occasions. He would be the perfect addition to the Yankees' rotation. Yamamoto spent seven seasons with the Buffaloes and compiled a career 1.72 ERA over that stretch across 188 games. 

He will certainly have many suitors, but the Yankees should be at the front of the line to bring him in.