MLB teams pull out all the stops to try and sign the biggest free agents on the market. The New York Yankees have long been high rollers and they aren’t afraid to shell out the cash for top-level talent.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the top pitcher available in MLB free agency and is expected to land a contract worth north of $300 million. The Yankees are one of the front runners to land him and met with the coveted pitcher earlier this week for a second time.

The Yankees upped their pursuit this time around and tried to find new ways to persuade Yamamoto to come to New York. One of those ways was in the form of a video message from Hideki Matsui, which was presented to Yamamaoto along with a signed jersey.

It is unclear what the reception was from Yamamoto upon receiving the video and jersey. It may very well come down to a bidding war for his signature, which the Yankees should be more than willing to get into. If it comes down to the extracurriculars, New York has as good a shot as any to land Yamamoto.

The Yankees can offer him everything he could want for his MLB career. New York would put him on the map and give him a chance to rival Shohei Ohtani if he lives up to the hype. Wouldn’t the Yankees love to have that sort of player at the front of their roster?

Article Continues Below
Related New York Yankees News
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) doubles in three runs in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium.
Anthony Volpe gets brutally honest on Yankees’ recent successBenjamin Adducchio ·
New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge (99) celebrates with second baseman Oswald Peraza (91) after scoring a run on a single by third baseman DJ LeMahieu during the first inning at Target Field.
Aaron Judge gives struggling teammate vote of confidenceRussell Steinberg ·
New York Yankees injured designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton works out before a game against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium.
Yankees’ Brian Cashman gives huge Giancarlo Stanton injury updateJoey Mistretta ·
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) interacts with New York Yankees second baseman Jorbit Vivas (90) during the first inning at Yankee Stadium.
MLB rumors: When Yankees were still ‘convinced’ about Juan Soto before Mets decisionPreston Byers ·
New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) during the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
Yankees’ Aaron Judge makes scary confession amid ridiculous startBenjamin Adducchio ·
New York Yankees first base Paul Goldschmidt (48) celebrates scoring a run with right fielder Aaron Judge (99) and left fielder Cody Bellinger (35) in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
Yankees rumors: What New York is ‘aggressively’ seeking on trade marketBenjamin Adducchio ·

Using club legends

After ending the season with no playoff berth against the Royals will AL East and Yankees boss Brian Cashman be forced to move to analytics

Hideki Matsui is a great person to bring in as reinforcement when trying to recruit free agents, especially Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Matsui is one of the most successful Japanese players in MLB history and is a potential role model to any Japanese player coming to the United States to play.

Yamamoto may have already had his sights set on the Yankees, but it didn’t hurt New York to utilize a former player to try and persuade him. Matsui of course obliged as only he could and the Yankees hope it will help them land the biggest gem on the pitching market.