Yankees and Mets Competing for Yamamoto

LATEST FREE AGENT & TRADE RUMORS
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We’re keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.

Dec. 7: Is it Yanks vs. Mets for Yamamoto?
Now that the Yankees have upgraded their offense with the acquisition of Juan Soto, their focus will turn to addressing their starting rotation. They have one pitcher in their sights: Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The Yankees will meet with the Japanese ace on Monday, a source told MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi. The Mets, another top contender for Yamamoto, have already had an in-person meeting with the 25-year-old right-hander. A source told MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo that Mets owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns flew to Japan last week to meet with the prized free agent.
There are multiple other clubs reportedly in the running for Yamamoto, but as one source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, this may be a New York-New York battle for the top full-time starter on the market.
“This is going to come down to the Mets and Yankees,” the source said. “They both think they need him badly — and they do. Get your popcorn ready. This could be fun.”
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Dec. 7: Garver a free-agent bat ‘under consideration’ by Mariners (report)
After playing an important role for the 2023 World Series champion Rangers, could Mitch Garver find his way to an AL West rival next season?
MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi reported that Garver is one of the free-agent bats “under consideration” by the Mariners. The right-handed-hitting designated hitter and catcher spent the last two seasons with the Rangers after starting his career with the Twins.
Garver is an obvious fit in Seattle, as the Mariners don’t have a firm everyday DH option and have lost plenty of offense this offseason with the departures of Teoscar Hernández, Eugenio Suárez and Jarred Kelenic. In Garver, the Mariners could acquire a hitter with a career 123 OPS+ that demolishes both lefties (career .509 SLG) and fastballs (.982 OPS).
Frequent injuries have limited him to playing 100-plus games in a season just once — which has subsequently led to fewer games behind the dish. Even if he’s just a DH now, Garver is one of the top bats available in free agency and would help replace some of the hitters the Mariners have lost this offseason.
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Dec. 7: Red Sox casting wide net in search for starting pitching
Determined to add starting pitching this offseason, the Red Sox have been connected to a number of top free-agent arms in recent days. According to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi, signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto is one of Boston’s top priorities. However, with so many other big-market teams reportedly in on the Japanese right-hander, the Red Sox would be wise to keep its options open.

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