Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Forget the Mets, here are 18 reasons why he should choose Yankees
NEW YORK – As part of the recruitment of a key free agent, well The City That Never Sleeps carries its own unique selling point.
But what if that sought-after player is being wooed by both New York baseball teams?
Other clubs are heavily linked to interest in Yoshinobu Yamamoto – notably the Dodgers, Giants, Phillies and Red Sox.
Yet, negotiations for the ace Japanese right-hander have directly pitted Hal Steinbrenner’s Yankees against Steve Cohen’s Mets, in a unique intracity battle.
“I feel quite confident that he’s going to come over here and be a really special top-of-the-rotation type pitcher,’’ Yankees GM Brian Cashman said of Yamamoto earlier this month.
As Yamamoto finalizes his decision, here are 18 reasons (symbolic of his traditional ace’s number) that the Yankees might sway him to the Bronx:
1. The Canyon of Heroes
Not since November 2009 have the Yankees paraded through lower Manhattan in a swirl of tickertape, celebrating a world championship. Yamamoto could be pivotal in making that ride once again.
2. Learning from Gerrit Cole
Is there anyone better than Cole to learn from, helping assimilate to the big leagues and getting valuable feedback about how Yamamoto might use his impressive arsenal against the league’s top hitters?
3. A-number-1
In Los Angeles, Yamamoto might be in the shadow of Shohei Ohtani. In Queens, he’d be sharing a stage with Kodai Senga. In the Bronx, Yamamoto would have the attention alone as the Yankees’ first frontline Japanese starter since Masahiro Tanaka.
4. Yama-Soto Mania
Yamamoto’s signing would complete the Yankees’ main winter objective, adding a dynamic lineup presence in Juan Soto (via trade from San Diego) and a potent weapon to their rotation.
5. 161st and River Avenue
For a player who seems to thrive in the sharpest spotlight, is there any greater arena to call home than Yankee Stadium?
6. My Captain
How about getting to call Aaron Judge a teammate and a friend, having the captain’s powerful support in the clubhouse and in the lineup?
7. A great lineage
The last Yankees World Series MVP, Hideki Matsui, was a superstar slugger in Japan who became a fan favorite and a star in his own right here. Matsui has played a behind-the-scenes role in recruiting Yamamoto to the Bronx.
8. Wearing the famous pinstripes
They originated with the Yankees and were borrowed by the Mets.
9. Gerrit Cole, Part II
Riding shotgun with Cole, the reigning (unanimous) AL Cy Young Award winner, Yamamoto won’t be the sole ace charged with carrying the club.
10. Fine dining
Based on his recent social schedule meeting with team representatives, Yamamoto has had a taste of Manhattan restaurants. The Yankees can always get him a table at Fresco by Scotto.
11. Best address
Yamamoto might choose to reside in a luxury apartment on Central Park West. Well, that daily commute is a lot shorter to Yankee Stadium than Citi Field.
12. The Gas Station
There’s access to the organization’s heralded pitching lab at Tampa, evaluating spin rates and breaking down mechanics via Trackman, Rapsodo and Edgertronic devises.
13. Matt Blake
Unsure about any of that state-of-the-art stuff? Let pitching coach Matt Blake be your guide, plus he’s able to connect and communicate on a much more human level.
14. Yankees history
You can’t tell the history of baseball without including the Yankees, from Babe Ruth to Derek Jeter and those 27 world championships. Yamamoto can become part of that heritage.
15. The Yankees fans
Since the trade for Soto, legions of Yankees fans, starved for a title since 2009, have prioritized Yamamoto’s signing as much as the organization.
16. Yankees Universe
About those fans – they’re everywhere around the league and around the globe. The Yankees brand has worldwide appeal.
17. Brand new digs
The home clubhouse at Yankee Stadium is currently undergoing a major makeover, adding – among other things – upgraded dining areas and places to take a nap.
18. Got your number
Yamamoto’s No. 18 with the Orix Buffaloes, the number associated with Japan’s ace pitchers, is available with the Yankees. That’s not the case with the Mets, who are retiring No. 18 in Darryl Strawberry’s honor.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Why free agent should sign with Yankees over Mets
