Cubs "Among Favorites" for Star Japanese Pitcher

The Chicago Cubs seem to be serious contenders to sign one of the top free agents this offseason and while we've seen their name linked to a few of the marquee players available, it kind of means more when it comes from ESPN's Jeff Passan. The MLB insider wrote an in-depth preview of the latest rumblings heading into the Winter Meetings and aside from the Cubs being one of four confirmed teams to still be in the bidding for Shohei Ohtani, Passan also made a strong connection between them and star Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Yamamoto, who is only 25-years-old, is considered the top starting pitching target this offseason, following his unbelievably dominant run in Japan. The right-handed pitcher is so highly thought of that many within the baseball industry expect Yamamoto to sign a contract worth more than $200 million this winter.

According to Passan, the Cubs are one of the five favorites to sign Yamamoto at the moment, although there are several teams interested in the Japanese ace.

Via ESPN.

It's difficult to remember a player with a market as robust as Yamamoto's. The 25-year-old right-hander will decide among a who's who of teams interested in him: The Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox and Cubs are among the favorites, with the Giants, Blue Jays and Phillies also expected to be in the mix.

Yamamoto's Japanese team, he Orix Buffaloes, officially posted the pitcher on Nov. 21, meaning he has until Jan. 4, 2024, to sign a deal with an MLB team.

Yamamoto has won three consecutive league MVP and Sawamura Awards in Japan. This past season, Yamamoto recorded a 1.16 ERA with 176 strikeouts in 171 innings. He only surrendered two home runs and allowed a total of 28 walks in 24 starts.

The New York Yankees signed Gerrit Cole to a 9-year, $324 million contract back in 2019, the biggest all-time deal for a pitcher. Yamamoto may not reach that figure, but most analysts agree that he can ultimately land the second largest contract for a pitcher behind Cole in MLB history.

In other Cubs pitching rumors, the interest in Tampa Bay Rays righty Tyler Glasnow is only getting stronger.

Glasnow, 30, is expected to be traded this offseason by the Rays. The talented starting pitcher will earn $25 million in 2024 and will be a free agent following the season.