Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been all the rage in baseball, and with two of New York’s biggest teams racing for his signatures, his net worth will skyrocket soon.
The right-handed pitcher is one of the most sought-after pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB). According to several reports, multiple teams are trying to acquire the Japanese ace.
However, as MLB.com reports, the race may boil down between two clubs, the New York Yankees and the New York Mets.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, born August 17, 1988, is the professional pitcher for Nippon Professional Baseball’s (NPB) Orix Buffaloes.
Yamamoto first became prominent in 2017 after officially debuting for the Orix Buffaloes. However, his success began with the 2021 season, scoring an 18-5 record while managing 206 strikeouts.
Additionally, with a league-leading earned run average (1.39), his performance in the season won him the Pacific League Most Valuable Player Award.
Furthermore, in Game 6 of the 2023 Japan Series, Yamamoto created another series record after 14 strikeouts in 138 pitches.
According to reports, the Japanese pitcher has met with the Mets‘ owner and is scheduled to meet the Yankees on Monday.
Meanwhile, other teams, the Giants, Dodgers, and Blue Jays, are all in contention to acquire the 27-year-old NPB star pitcher.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Net Worth
With numerous clubs desperate to sign him on, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and his net worth are bound to get sky-high.
According to Forbes, Yamamoto’s recorded salary for the 2023 season was $16 million. Meanwhile, he reportedly turned down an offer from the Padres for $20.325 million.
However, multiple reports have indicated Yamamoto is close to signing a deal worth $300 million, if not more.
If the contract goes through, this will make him the second-highest-earning pitcher in MLB, second only to Gerrit Cole.
However, Yamamoto is not new to being the athlete with the highest payroll. In 2022, his $4.9 million contract with the Orix Buffaloes made him the highest-paid athlete in the team’s history.
Despite a massive income, Yamamoto prefers a humble and quiet life. His social media shows him indulging in occasional fishing trips and hanging out with his friends.
With multiple teams in contention for the young Japanese pitcher, he will have a variety of teams to choose from. Consequently, Yamamoto might drive a hard bargain, causing his net worth to get much higher.
Is Yoshinobu Yamamoto A $300 Million Player?
The contract rumors about Yamamoto have sparked huge debate, with some arguing if the player is worth the hefty price tag.
Some reporters have been quick to call out Yamamoto’s lack of experience in the Majors. Yet others have questioned if investing in a pitcher who is only 5-foot-10 and has numerous baseball and cultural changes coming his way is a good idea.
However, these issues don’t seem to alter the MLB teams’ vision for Yamamoto.
When reporters questioned GM Brian Cashman about Yamamoto in the Winter Meetings, the Yankees’ GM sounded optimistic about the pitcher’s ability to fit in.
Nevertheless, nobody doubts Yamamoto’s quality or his ability on the field. But a $300 million contract for ten years seems premature, considering the inevitable transition waiting in his life.
But Yamamoto has proved himself enough on the global stage. According to the Pirates GM, Ben Cherington, “He’s been an outstanding performer on the world stage. Not just in Japan, but on the world stage.”
Meanwhile, others speculate his age is a factor that has caused such high offers. Whatever the case, the fans are excited to see a prominent athlete come to the United States.
