It’s no secret that the Yankees are ready to present a significant long-term contract to Japanese pitching ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The question, rather, is if the 25-year-old righty will embrace the interlocking NY and don the pinstripes, or take his incredible talent elsewhere. Namely, the crosstown rival New York Mets.
We’ve discussed Yamamoto six ways to Sunday. He’s got power in that right arm despite a slender 5-foot-10 frame. His slider slides, but also cuts hard and downward, and his splitter is an elite out pitch. Watching him pitch brings back memories of Masahiro Tanaka, but even more dominant.