Yankees Given Surprising Odds To Land Best Pitcher In Free Agency Despite Speculation

New York may need to break out the checkbook if it wants to land its top choice

The New York Yankees may not end up getting their top choice in free agency after all. 

New York has been linked to Orix Buffaloes star Yoshinobu Yamamoto on numerous occasions over the last year. He will be one of the most highly sought-after free agents this offseason and although the Yankees have high interest, will face stiff competition. 

Yamamoto will be posted any day now and will be able to talk to prospective teams but the Yankees have been given only the fourth-highest odds to land him by DraftKings at +550. The Mets are viewed as the odds-on betting favorites at +220 followed by the Boston Red Sox at +400 and the Los Angeles Dodgers at +450. 

New York has been linked to Yamamoto on multiple occasions and if it were able to land him this offseason, it would be a perfect move. The Yankees already have Gerrit Cole in the rotation but need another boost. Yamamoto is just 25 years old and could help the club for years to come. 

It would be devastating for the Yankees if Yamamoto were to land with either the Mets or the Red Sox. New York has money to spend this offseason and needs an upgrade, but if arguably the top free-agent pitcher were to land with its rival it would hurt the club for years to come. 

While these odds aren't a true indication of where he will land, it certainly is interesting that the Yankees are listed behind the Mets, Red Sox, and Dodgers. Yamamoto will be posted any day so it won't be too long until we find out if the Yankees actually can land him.