“They are viewed by many as the front runner” - Yankees in pole position to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto as free agency nears conclusion, per MLB analyst

With the Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes heating up, one MLB team appears to have the best chance at landing him. According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, the New York Yankees are considered the favorites to land him among many. There are several teams expected to get in on the bidding war, but the Yankees are expected to emerge victorious.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network had the scoop:

"Getting closer, I think on the Yamamoto signing. We do expect that he will sign before the end of the calendar year, and indeed, very likely before the end of this week... The Yankees are viewed by many as the frontrunner, I still think that is the case. It would take, I believe, a tremendous offer from either the Mets or the Dodgers to pull him away."

The Yankees, in Morosi's eyes, are still leading the pack, but neither the New York Mets nor the Los Angeles Dodgers should be ignored.

The bidding officially began today, with teams being able to submit offers for Yamamoto to consider. Morosi believes that the offer from any non-Yankee team would have to be pretty substantial.

The pitcher has a longstanding connection to the Yankees and they've been courting him for over a year, which is why many in the industry believe they're the team to beat.

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Yankees ahead on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, per sources

It was reported long ago that the New York Yankees had one top priority this offseason: to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto. They reportedly considered that of more importance than trading for Juan Soto.

Will the Yankees land Yoshinobu Yamamoto?

They pulled off that trade, and they now appear deadset on getting Yamamoto in pinstripes as well. From all indications, they stand a very good chance of doing so. Everything has to play out, but MLB reporters believe it'll take a fumble on their part to see him go elsewhere.

The expectation is that he'll sign by the end of this week, which means Yankees fans could be getting some decent news sometime soon if it plays out as expected.