Outside of Shohei Ohtani, Japanese phenom pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is probably the hottest name on the open market. Virtually every team in the big leagues would love to sign the hard-throwing right-hander, who profiles to be a top-of-the-line starter at the MLB level. The New York Yankees are one ballclub who are seriously in the running for Yamamoto.

Yankees skipper Aaron Boone revealed Tuesday he's personally planning to meet with the 25-year-old in free agency negotiations. Via Bob Nightengale:

“Yankees manager Aaron Boone expects to meet with Yamamoto during the recruiting process, saying he’d look good in Yankee pinstripes as a pretty special frontline starter.”

The Bronx Bombers have reportedly kept Yamamoto's No. 18 open just in case he does choose to sign with the organization. But the competition for his signature is fierce. The Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets are all eyeing Yamamoto.

There's a belief within the industry that he could fetch a deal in the ballpark of $300 million, and certainly, the Yankees can certainly afford that. Their need for starting pitching is also clear. Outside of Gerrit Cole, there wasn't much consistency in the rotation in 2023.

New York does have a couple of things going in the Yankees' favor in the pursuit of Yamamoto, too. Hideki Matsui and Masahiro Tanaka both enjoyed great stints in the majors with the Yankees. Brian Cashman and the front office are even using Matsui to help with the recruiting pitch to Yamamoto.

Plus, Tanaka arrived in America at 25 and dominated in his first MLB season. Perhaps Yamamoto could follow suit in pinstripes.