Yoshinobu Yamamoto is widely viewed as the next big thing in the big leagues from Japan. It is expected that the next time he puts ink on paper, it will be for a titanic contract with the lucky ball club who'd land him in MLB free agency. That time will come, but for now, it's a waiting game for everybody, with Mark Feinsand of MLB.com saying that at least one more week will pass before the Japanese hurler signs a contract.

“Ohtani isn’t the only free agent clogging up the market, as Yoshinobu Yamamoto — the three-time Sawamura Award winner and Pacific League MVP — is also expected to wait until at least next week before signing with a Major League club.”

It is not a stretch to say that every team in the MLB has some level of interest in signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto, though, the the rumored top teams in these sweepstakes are the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and the Chicago Cubs.

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Where will Yoshinobu Yamamoto play in the MLB?

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At just 25-years-old who's got oozing potential, Yoshinobu Yamamoto has MLB teams salivating over the prospect of winning his services in free agency. Yamamoto posted a 17-6 record with a 1.16 ERA and 0.860 WHIP across 171.0 total innings in 2023 for the Orix Buffaloes. Estimates have Yamamoto potentially landing a contract worth north of $300 million. It is also worth noting that teams in the MLB have until 5 pm EST of January 4 to strike a deal with Yamamoto.