The San Francisco Giants have joined the list of teams vying to sign Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto. According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Giants met with the talented pitcher on Sunday, making them the latest large-market team to express interest in his services. The New York Yankees were also expected to meet with Yamamoto's camp on Monday, while the New York Mets' owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns recently flew to Japan to discuss a potential deal. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has been closely following Yamamoto and even flew to Japan in September to watch him throw a no-hitter.

The Giants are one of seven teams listed by The Athletic as “serious” suitors for Yamamoto, alongside the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Cubs. Despite the Dodgers signing Shohei Ohtani to a historic $700 million contract, they are still interested in pursuing Yamamoto. However, it is widely believed that the Mets and Yankees are the frontrunners in the race to sign the talented pitcher, according to The Post's Jon Heyman.

Yamamoto's impressive track record makes him an attractive target for teams. The 25-year-old right-hander has won the Pacific League MVP for three consecutive years and was awarded the Eiji Sawamura Award as the best pitcher in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league. In the 2023 season, he boasted a remarkable 1.16 ERA with a 17-6 record. Since making his NPB debut in 2017, Yamamoto has maintained a 1.72 ERA and 0.915 WHIP.

If the Giants were to sign Yamamoto, he would provide a valuable addition to their rotation alongside Logan Webb, who has been a strong contender for the Cy Young Award in recent years. The Yankees, on the other hand, view Yamamoto as a key piece in bolstering their rotation. While they made a significant move by trading for Juan Soto, landing Yamamoto would be another statement of intent for the team. Cashman has expressed his admiration for the Japanese pitcher, stating that he is a "tremendous opportunity for anybody."

However, the Yankees face stiff competition in their pursuit of Yamamoto, particularly from their cross-town rivals, the Mets. Other teams linked to the pitcher include the Red Sox, Cubs, and Phillies. The intense competition could drive the price tag for Yamamoto, including posting fees, to exceed $300 million. Nevertheless, Cashman remains determined to compete for the pitcher's signature, stating that they will put their best offer forward.

In their meeting with Yamamoto, the Yankees can highlight their success with other Japanese stars such as Masahiro Tanaka and Hideki Matsui. The team's worldwide brand and reputation as the "mecca of baseball" could also work in their favor. Cashman believes that they have a lot to offer as an attractive destination for players, not just from Japan but worldwide.

As the Yamamoto sweepstakes continue, it remains to be seen which team will secure the prized pitcher's services. Regardless, his exceptional talent and accolades make him a highly sought-after player in the MLB.