Yankees interested in star Japanese pitcher to bolster rotation

The New York Yankees know they will need to make major changes ahead of the 2024 MLB season, and they reportedly have their sights set on one option in particular.

The Yankees are extremely interested in Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, according to Bob Klapisch of NJ Advance Media. Yamamoto, a 25-year-old pitching star in Japan, is likely to be posted by the Orix Buffaloes this offseason.

The Yankees have a highly favorable opinion of Yamamoto, so much so that GM Brian Cashman scouted him personally earlier in September. Yamamoto even threw a no-hitter with Cashman in attendance and is expected to be highly sought-after by other teams, including the Yankees rival, Boston Red Sox.

In seven seasons pitching in NPB, Yamamoto has been dominant, posting a 1.84 ERA while striking out over a batter an inning. That includes a microscopic 1.32 ERA this season.

Cashman has openly admitted that the Yankees’ season has been a “disaster” and pitching has been at the heart of that. Outside of Gerrit Cole, the team has not had a reliable starter all season. It is no wonder they might be prepared to spend big money on a potential star, albeit one untested in MLB.