Like many teams around MLB, the New York Mets will make an effort to sign Shohei Ohtani in free agency. However, if their Ohtani pursuit goes how they're expecting it to, the Mets have already devised a backup plan.

New York believes they have, “no realistic chance,” of landing Ohtani, via Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Instead, the Mets have their eyes on Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Steve Cohen and company will still at least attempt to sign Ohtani. However, they already have highest payroll in baseball at almost $203 million. If Ohtani chooses to stay out West, the Mets may be dead in the water before the bidding truly commences. New York wants the two-way star, but they're choosing to remain realistic. Which has directed the team in Yamamoto's direction.

The 24-year old has been playing for the Orix Buffaloes in NPB since 2017. He holds a 75-30 record with a 1.72 ERA and a 986/216 K/BB ratio. Yamamoto has won the Japanese Triple Crown and Sawamura Award – Japan's equivalent of the Cy Young – the past three seasons. Yamamoto is also a two-time Pacific League MVP.

With the season going off the rails, New York traded Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander at the deadline. In turn, the Mets are in desperate need of pitching behind Kodai Senga and Jose Quintana.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto might be the Mets' answer. Wherever Ohtani signs will be the biggest story of the offseason. But even if New York can't land him, Yamamoto is more than just a consolation prize as he has the potential to lead the pitching rotation for years to come.